Local Environmentalists WarnsThreat To Human Lives And Environment By Using Insecticide "Temephos"

Local Environmentalists warned on a future Threat  to the Human Lives as well as to Environment due to using of Internationally Banned Insecticide "Temephos"  to Drinking Wells in certain areas as a measure of destroying Mosquito Larvae.The National Dengue Control Programme had already used this banned insecticide for more than 9000 Drinking Wells situated in certain areas throughout the Island mainly in Batticloe (In Eastern Province) and Kandy (Central Province) according to a Environmentalist in Batticloe District.

"Temephos" which is an organophospate  larvicide is internationally banned for using in drinking water and food related media due to the harm it causes.

Environmentalist Mr.Mahesh made a written request from Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena in a letter dated 2012-01-01 to conduct an inquiry against the higher officials of National Dengue Control Programme who are behind this act and taken stern action on them.According to him the insecticide "Temephos" imported to Sri Lanka under a certain Trade Name is a insecticide included in the banned list of pesticides published by one of the International Environment Organizations on 25th of February 2011.

The said insecticide proved as harmful for Birds,Fish and Environment friendly insects and in case of human touch it will directly affect the nervous system by causing neuro problems and various symptoms like dizziness,vomiting,diarrhea,Muscle Cramps etc will appear according to the fact sheet issued on "Temephos" .

Meanwhile when contacted a higher official attached to National Dengue Control Programme has stated that the said insecticide "Temephos" is using to destroy local mosquito larvae since years and in previous occasions too the programme used this to wells in certain areas .Ministry of Health too aware on using it he stressed.

However the Public Health Department of Colombo Municipal Council has stated they are only using "Temephos" in drainage system within Colombo City as a method of destroying mosquito larvae.

Meanwhile it has been reported that the Dengue Mosquito Aedis Egypt y" proved as resistant to  "Temephos" in Brazil.The Country it self used this as a method of destroying dengue mosquito larvae since 1967 .