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Impact of - IDL-BNC @ IDRC - International Development Research ...

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to all common pesticides. In an emergency, doctors can refer to this book before<br />

contacting the Centre.<br />

Other reference publications include Pesticides in Sri Lanka (Friedrich-Ebert-<br />

Stiftung), which contains a collection <strong>of</strong> articles on all aspects <strong>of</strong> pesticide use<br />

in Sri Lanka in the last few decades. It contains information on economic,<br />

agricultural, medical, occupational, and legal aspects <strong>of</strong> pesticide use and is a<br />

valuable source for researchers. A brochure - First Aid for Pesticide Poisoning<br />

- in English and two national languages was distributed mainly through<br />

trade unions on tea, rubber, and coconut plantations.<br />

NPIC produced a poster in English and the national languages that includes<br />

information on first aid for poisoning. It is now a widely recognized institution<br />

in Sri Lanka and is represented on the recently appointed National Committee<br />

to Monitor Import and Use <strong>of</strong> Chemicals. The Centre receives requests to<br />

participate in scientific and public seminars and meetings where poisoning is<br />

discussed.<br />

The Centre is one <strong>of</strong> four pilot organizations using the poisons information<br />

package for developing countries that was developed by the <strong>International</strong><br />

Programme on Chemical Safety. The national Centre contributed to this<br />

project by preparing 12 monographs containing poison information, including<br />

one on the herbicide propanil.<br />

Over the past 2 years, the Centre has faced difficulties in answering some<br />

queries about pesticides because <strong>of</strong> lack <strong>of</strong> information on their toxicity. An<br />

enquiry concerning the effects <strong>of</strong> skin exposure to phenyl mercury acetate<br />

required contacting the importer <strong>of</strong> this pesticide who contacted the suppliers<br />

in the West. The necessary information was finally telexed to Sri Lanka.<br />

Another problem was the unavailability <strong>of</strong> antidotes. Intravenous methylene<br />

blue, necessary for the treatment <strong>of</strong> methemoglobinemia caused by propanil<br />

poisoning was not available in Sri Lanka. After several deaths from propanil<br />

poisoning, the Ministry <strong>of</strong> Health was asked to import methylene blue.<br />

All pesticides imported into Sri Lanka must be approved by the registrar <strong>of</strong><br />

pesticides. Nevertheless, some businesses continue to import and sell banned<br />

substances, such as compounds containing arsenic; the antidote is not available<br />

in Sri Lanka. The Centre has received several enquiries about these<br />

pesticides and has informed the registrar accordingly.<br />

The need for a regional information network<br />

The problems encountered in Sri Lanka are not unique. Many developing<br />

countries face similar situations in relation to pesticide poisoning. Although<br />

there is worldwide concern about pesticide residues in the food we consume,<br />

the lack <strong>of</strong> analytical and monitoring facilities limit our knowledge <strong>of</strong> the<br />

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