Sambalpur: The number of kidney patients is on the rise in Bargarh district due to use of pesticides in agriculture, according to a study published in the Indian Journal of Nephrology. The presence of nephrotoxic pesticide residues used in agricultural fields, was detected in water and soil in 16 hotspot villages in five blocks.
A door-to-door survey conducted with the help of primary and community health centres found that about 21% of men aged 40 and above in these hotspot villages suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD). Even more concerning is the fact that 85% of these cases were classified as CKD of unknown etiology (CKDu), affecting younger individuals.
Researchers collected soil and water samples from both hotspot and non-hotspot villages to analyse pesticide residue levels. The study detected significantly high levels of nephrotoxic pesticides such as chlorpyrifos, endosulfan, paraquat, and cypermethrin in the hotspot areas, exceeding the maximum residue limits (MRLs).
Iswar Baitharu, assistant professor of environmental science, Sambalpur University, a researcher involved in the study, told TOI, “There was a lack of study on CKD in Bargarh, where a higher number of patients are present. We are trying to extend our study to other parts of western Odisha where similar cases are evident. The nephrology ward of VIMSAR is flooded with patients. Most patients belong to the low-income group. In the hotspot villages of Bargarh covered in the study, banned pesticides are being used in agricultural fields.”
He said the study was done for a year, where the presence of metals and nephrotoxic pesticides was found in the water people were drinking. Local farmers, who rely heavily on pesticides for crop protection, are alarmed by the findings. “We have been using these chemicals for years, unaware of their impact on health,” said Debashish Pradhan, a farmer.
Bargarh district administration is likely to implement the RO water supply system in those areas in different phases following the study, sources in the district administration indicated.
Changing the water supply system to RO won’t decrease the already existing cases, as they are already in an advanced stage, according to experts. However, further emergence of kidney disease due to exposure to nephrotoxic substances in water can be controlled with RO.