Studies find high levels of Arsenic in Kelani River: CENS
By Piyumi Fonseka(http://continuosrainpfsl.blogspot.com/2015_09_01_archive.html)
Studies conducted by the Centre for Environment and Nature Studies (CENS) have been found high levels of toxic chemical Arsenic nearly 0.004 kg / m3 (4.00 milligrams) per (1 liter) in several areas of Kelani River which is main source of drinking water for Colombo.
Environmentalist and Researcher Ravindra Kariyawasam of CENS yesterday told Daily Mirror highest levels of arsenic were found in the water samples taken near the Ambatale Pumping Station.
He said the arsenic contamination of the Kelani River was caused due to the releasing of chemicals and effluent substances by over 150 industries located in the Biyagama Industrial Zone. Coca- Cola Beverage Company was one of the 150 industries, he said.
According to him, it takes about 20 years for even an atom of arsenic to get decomposed thus he suspected the duration which takes for decomposition of nearly4 kg / m3 arsenic found in Kelani River waters.
Due to the arsenic contagion, natural water purifying process in the Kelani River had come to standstill after micro species and trees which are contributed in natural water purifying have been harmed continuously, Environmentalist Kariyawasam said.
He also said that as far as he concerned, National Water Supply and Drainage Board was not having a method to chlorinate water contaminated by arsenic adding the situation might cause very dangerous health problems for the consumers.
It is known that consuming high levels of arsenic could lead to serious medical complications such as skin, lungs, bladder and kidney cancers and other toxic health effects, including cardiovascular disease, neurological problems, and developmental disorders.
He said that a series of studies was being carried out by the CENS since 2013 on the Kelani River, Po River in Italy and Satluj River in India.
The studies are being conducted by several qualified persons including Prof.Rajesh Goyal from Desh Bhagat University, India, Prof.D.s.Gerewal from India, German Scientist Freeza Michelle and Italian Scientist Ayarin Giagomppi. The CENS is a registered non-profitable institution run by private funds of the contributors, Mr.Kariyawasam added.
The full report of the find outs of their studies will be handed over to the Environment Ministry and President Maithripala Sirisena with the completion of the studies in December, 2016.
He also said it was they who conducted the studies on the Rathpaswala water issue by taking water samples from the area. He said they did not get approval from any government authorities before they conducted studies since they already knew that they would not be allowed to carry out the studies.
