Rising incidence of growth promoters, a health hazard

by Carol Aloysius

The Poisons Centre of the National Hospital (NHSL) has alerted the health authorities of a disturbing trend where farmers use growth promoters to destroy pests attacking their crops.

Head of the Toxicology and Poisons Centre at the NHSL Dr. Waruna Thilakeratne told the Sunday Observer, “Any type of growth promoter can have serious health consequences for those who consume food products which have been sprayed as they fall into the same category of other pesticides.

They, along with other pesticides contain chemicals that affects the entire body of a human being as all the vital organs including heart, kidney, respiratory system and liver which can lead to short term and long term adverse consequences on one’s health, even leading to death”, he said.

Explaining the impact of growth promoters on pests, he said, “They can expedite the maturity of pests and cause their early death.

Studies have shown that the use of growth promoters on pests have significantly reduced the lifespan of insects that attack plants. Our farmers are now using them along with other pesticides, thus adding more risks to people’s health as most contain chemicals such as organophosphate and carbonate.”