Rescue workers, victims and residents of neighbouring villages who inhaled the volatile Organo-Phosphate compounds released due to burning pesticides in the June 30 fire incident in a chemical reactor at Nagarjuna Agrichem Limited at Srikakulam, are perhaps not even aware that they were poisoned.
To make matters worse, only 15 blood samples were sent by officials at Srikakulam for tests to ascertain exposure and resultant OP poisoning. The matter has been treated in an amateurish manner by taking just one round of samples. “Nothing has been mentioned about persons other than the five accident victims whose blood samples have been tested for levels of enzyme cholinesterase (used for monitoring OP poisoning).
There is no statistical difference in cholinest-erase levels between exposed and unexposed persons. Either it is a laboratory error or is due to the norms not being followed which mandate serial blood tests for those who are exposed to Organo-Phosphates from pesticides,” said an official. Experts like Dr A.K. Purohit, professor and head of the department of neurosurgery, NIMS, say that either the normal population is a victim of chronic OP poisoning or it can be due to deviation from the standard methods used for estimation.