By Stephen Cummings
Caribbean Net News Trinidad and Tobago Correspondent
Email: stephen@caribbeannetnews.com
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: Concerns are being raised in Trinidad over the discovery of a dangerous chemical believed to have been brought by Sahara dust, which has pervaded the atmosphere to the north of the island.
Six harmful pesticides, which are capable of killing babies, causing cancer and breaking down the immune system, have been found in samples taken of the Sahara dust.
The dust samples were taken from the Toco Lighthouse in north Trinidad. One of the pesticides is known as DDT, which has been outlawed internationally, because of its deadly effects.
Properties identified in the chemicals found are DDE, which is a breakdown product of DDT, HCB, Endo-sulfan 2 , Endo-sulfan Sulphate, and Trans Chlordane .
The pesticides, Chlor-pyrisos , and Dacthal , were also found in the Sahara dust samples.
The findings were published in the International Journal of Tropical Biology, Volume 54, last December with scientific data contributed by Dr Asad Mohammed and Dr Adesh Ramsubhag, of the St Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies.
Scientists in Trinidad are to do more tests on the unusual find. Steps are also being taken to avoid the possibility or likely outbreak of any ailment due the breakdown product of DDT, HCB, Endo-sulfan 2 , Endo-sulfan Sulphate, and Trans Chlordane. |
