Screening of Micro-organic Compounds in Groundwater from Areas with Chronic Kidney Disease of Unclear Aetiology (CKDu) in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka

Chandrajith R, Zwiener C, Daniel C, Amann KU, Nanayakkara N, Barth J (2024)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

Exposure and Health Springer

DOI: 10.1007/s12403-024-00651-7

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu) occurs in tropical countries, including Latin America, Mexico, Sri Lanka, and India. The disease occurs mainly in men who work in the agricultural sector. Although many studies have been conducted in CKDu areas, hardly any have examined emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) in drinking water. Therefore, this study examined EOCs, including pesticide residues, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products, in 29 shallow groundwater samples collected from wells commonly used by CKDu patients. These patients were identified through renal biopsy examinations from the Girandurukotte and Wilgamuwa regions in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Of 110 EOCs measured, 40 were found in at least one or more samples. Among the detected EOCs, all groundwater samples examined showed the highest concentrations of caffeine (max: 950 ng/L) and DEET (max: 647 ng/L). In particular, the insect repellents commonly used in the region, such as coils, mats, vaporizers, spray and creams, would be the source of DEET in the environment. Pharmaceuticals and personal care products were the most common EOCs in all groundwater samples, with concentrations ranging from 129 (propylparaben) to 1.26 ng/L (carbamazepine) and 1.25 ng/L (hydrochlorothiazide), respectively, followed by herbicides and fungicides. Sources of such compounds would be insect repellents, antifungal and bactericidal preservatives, and agricultural pesticides. Notably, none of the identified EOCs reached critical values and were often below the values in European drinking water standards. Although primary evidence of EOCs as a cause of the disease does not emerge from the results of this study, regular monitoring of EOCs in groundwater, particularly in the dry zone of Sri Lanka, is essential as the presence of these compounds highlights their vulnerability in shallow groundwater wells.

Authors with CRIS profile

Christoph Daniel Department of Nephropathology Kerstin Ute Amann Professur für Nephropathologie Johannes Barth Lehrstuhl für Angewandte Geologie

Involved external institutions

University of Peradeniya LK Sri Lanka (LK) Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen DE Germany (DE) Kandy Teaching Hospital LK Sri Lanka (LK)

How to cite

APA:

Chandrajith, R., Zwiener, C., Daniel, C., Amann, K.U., Nanayakkara, N., & Barth, J. (2024). Screening of Micro-organic Compounds in Groundwater from Areas with Chronic Kidney Disease of Unclear Aetiology (CKDu) in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka. Exposure and Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-024-00651-7

MLA:

Chandrajith, Rohana, et al. "Screening of Micro-organic Compounds in Groundwater from Areas with Chronic Kidney Disease of Unclear Aetiology (CKDu) in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka." Exposure and Health (2024).

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