Following the high level investigation regarding the fear of spate in Rajouri district of more than 17 deaths, experts suspect that Organophosphorus poisoning may be behind the fatalities in the region.
Organophosphorus is an agricultural chemical that is effective in pest control, and, while reasonable to some extent, the negative implications of its use de facto render the chemical reaction harmful to humans, especially with improper handling or mindlessness.
In many such agricultural units where pesticides and insecticides are stored, there is an extreme spirit of carelessness, coupled with no safety concern.
Therefore, rural people such as Rajouri region get exposed through mere accidental ingestion of such chemicals because there is neither prior observation nor connection.
A rural hospital in such a region must be geared to receive poisoning cases. Such facilities with modern medical aids and ventilators can also provide antidotes against Organophosphorus poisoning, and may even prove to be an economic and inspiring savior in these dire moments.
The first order of the day is an effective inquiry to ascertain what actually occurred, including a causal investigation by government authorities and into the businesses of forensic scholars to see how poisoning of a sort occurred-was it accidental or intentional? Was it just due to non-regulation or smarting-off on the part of regular pesticide use?
The reports must be made public in order not to stir any unsubstantiated fears as well as into place so that the negligent party, if any, can be identified by the concerned law enforcement. This may be strongly complemented by some education that provides legalisms and sensitizations for farmers and landscapers on proper handling and pesticide safekeeping.
The labeling and accompanying instructions on use and storage practices are in a large part inadequately observed, and all across the country places toxic chemicals into farmland, actively.
