Contribution towards National Issues
Testing for Heavy metals and Pesticides in drinking water in schools
Elimination of Kidney Disease and Non-communicable Diseases is a sub programme under Sustainable Schools Programme by the Presidential Secretariat. “Validation of the quality of drinking water in schools” is a project initiated by the programme with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine collaboration with National Water Supply and drainage board, Government Analyst and Industrial Technology Institute.
Under this project around 3000 wells being used for drinking water in schools in the Anuradhapura, Badulla, Vayuniya, Mulathiv and Jaffna Districts will be subjected to microbiological and chemical testing including heavy metals and pesticide residues as per SLS 614:2013. ITI well equipped with modern high end analytical instruments and accredited facilities for heavy metals and pesticide analysis was assigned to carry out for the analysis of heavy metal and pesticides in the drinking water. As the first set, 600 water samples received for the analysis that are collected from the school located within Anuradhapura district by Public Health Inspectors of the district under the instructions
Analysis of ground water in Kosgama
In June 2016, a major explosion occurred accidently in Kosgama, SalawaArmoury causing server damage to the vicinity that was populated with residents. Their houses were damaged, and the residents had to vacate in fear of air pollution and contamination of water in the wells which were used for their domestic needs.
The ITI offered its service voluntarily in testing the wells for contamination and worked tirelessly round the clock in testing water samples of wells in the vicinity. With the results of the comprehensive study submitted to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research, residentswere able to return and start to use the water without fear for their daily needs.
Identification of synthetic rice
A fear was spread among citizens through social media and press that a stock of rice imported to our country is made of synthetic material namely, Plastic Rice. This fear created a big commotion in the countryas rice is the staple food of the nation.
At the request of Consumer Affairs Authority, ITI carried out test to verify the authenticity of the rice and was found rice to be genuine The report was submitted to the Consumer Affairs Authority.
Hazardous Compound identification in Grade 7 Geography Text Book
The 7th grade students were complaining of pain in eyes and an odour in the book, when studying the Geography Text Book and a request was made to ITI to analyze the book. The quality of the paper and the printing ink of the book were analyzed at ITI laboratories, and the results were submitted to the relevant authorities for necessary action.
Determination of the quality of palm oil from market
The palm oil available in the market was reported to be not genuine. The Ministry of Science and Technology requested ITI to analyze the palm oil consumed by people to determine the quality and suitability for human consumption.
The sample of palm oil were collected fromdifferent storage containers from retail markets, supermarkets and merchants around Maharagama, Nugegoda, Ambuldeniya and were tested for Sri Lanka Standards.
The analysis revealed that all most all of oil samples marketed under the label palm oil have categorized chemically under the palm olein group which is different in compositionally and physically from palm oil group. Some of them include trans fats which is not suitable for human consumption. The final report submitted to the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Considering the ITI report Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government has been taken actions to initiate the quality confirm of oil marketed in the country under the market name of palm oil.
Heavy Metals in Cosmetics
During the last decade, usage of personal care products has rapidly increased among Sri Lankans and the local markets were crammed with numerous cosmetics and personnel care products which were regulated by the Cosmetics Drug Devise Authority (CDDA) considering the health safety of Sri Lankans
To fulfill these regulatory purposes the chemical analysis of cosmetics was initiated in the year 2009 as a separate unit under the Chemical and Microbiological Laboratory as the first ever Cosmetic Testing Laboratory of the Country.
As a Market Basket Study, the face creams that were available in the country were analyzed for heavy metals. In the study it was revealed that the Mercury content of some imported products are higher than the permitted levels. The mercury, the ingredient used to make the skin fairer is known to be carcinogeous. With these finding the regulatory bodies are in a position to take necessary actions on the products.
Pesticide Residue Analysis in Exports to EU Countries
The European Union was at the verge of rejecting Sri Lankan exports of plant origin foods to EU counties due to presence of pesticide residue in some foods. At the request of the Office of the Registrar of Pesticide (ROP), ITI analyzed over 150 samples of plant originated food exports collected across the country by the ROP for 49 kinds of pesticide residues using high end instruments for very minute quantities.
With the results, EU conducted an audit and recommended Organic Residue Analysis Laboratory for producing analytical reports for exports of Sri Lankan produce to EU countries
Consultancy and testing of copper conductor use in high voltage power line
Ceylon Electricity Board has faced a problem that some copper conductors used in coastal area were failing frequently, since these conductors are used in overhead transmission of high voltage it was danger to general public. Therefore, at the request of CEB, ITI manage to find the fault and to recommend solutions.
Last Updated on Monday, 08 October 2018 10:48
