Beware of fruits with excessive ethapone

by Carol Aloysius

Hot on the heels of a recent detection of a large haul of ethaphone by the police, the Health Ministry has warned the public to be cautious when buying fruits and vegetables for consumption, as they could be artificially ripened using ethaphone.

“Ethaphone, a pesticide and chemical is used as a plant growth regulator. It falls into the category of organophosphate. Using it excessively and beyond the recommended application procedure can impact on health,” Head of the Toxicology Unit of the National Hospital Sri Lanka (NHSL), Dr Waruna Gunathileke told the Sunday Observer. “When contaminated with heavy metals it can harm the nervous system and cause respiratory problems”, he said, adding that according to scientific studies there was no strong proof as yet, that it causes cancer.

According to the recommended procedure, the chemical should not be applied directly to the surface of the fruits, he said.

“Vendors who want to speed up the ripening process spray the chemical directly on to the fruits. Ethaphone inhibits the plasma enzyme cholinesterase in our bodies. All the clinical features of toxicity arise as a consequence of this”.

“We should not encourage this practice“, he said.

According to Agricultural Department sources, ethaphone if used, should be diluted with calcium hydroxide.