Thailand is a very popular tourist destination for people across the world. Chiang Mai is a particularly pleasant place in the country where many people enjoy visiting for the quite surroundings, good Thai food, nice swimming pools and friendly Thai hospitality. And so many people have been shaken up by a report that a lethal bug toxin in a Chiang Mai hotel has been associated with a fatal death of a tourist.
Traces of Chlorpyrifos Found in Chiang Mai Hotel
The Bangkok Post has reported "Lethal bug toxin found in hotel". Traces of a potentially lethal bug toxin have been found in a Chiang Mai hotel where a New Zealand tourist became fatally ill. Traces of the toxin chlorpyrifos have been discovered in samples which a New Zealand current affairs television show 60 Minutes had independently tested. Chlorpyrifos is used to kill bedbugs. This toxin is so potentially dangerous it has been banned in many other countries.
It has been reported on Chlorpyrifos.org that chlorpyrifos is used as a pesticide for both indoor and outdoor use. It is produced for both home use and commercial use. Chlorpyrifos is used to control and eliminate fleas, insects, termites, pests and mosquitoes. But, this pesticide passes into your system and it can cause serious harm to the body. It can pass into the body when you touch it or if you breathe in the air which it is contaminated by. Many countries have passed laws which are phasing out the use of this chemical in areas where there is a danger of people ingesting it or being affected by its presence.
Dow Chemical Company, USA Has Suppressed Reports About Poisoning by Chlorpyrifos
Chlorpyrifos is distributed by Dow Chemical Company, USA under the brand names Lorsban and Dursban around the world. Dow has been stating in developing nations that chlorpyrifos has an established record of being safe for humans and animals. This is not true and Dow has been fined for suppressing reports which have shown that this chemical has been responsible for poisoning.
Actually chlorpyrifos is a neurotoxin and ingestion can cause disturbances in the transmission of nerve impulses. This can lead to dizziness, headaches, loose motions, increased urination and salivation. Chlorpyrifos has also been shown to cause disturbances of the endocrine system, asthma, mental development problems in children, ADHD in children, and lower birth weight in pregnant women. Chlopyrifos also affects the muscles and can have cause serious side effects on the heart, the respiratory and the intestinal systems.
A 23 Year Old Tourist Died from Apparent Chlorpyrifos Poisoning
One of the victims of apparent poisoning from chlorpyrifos in the Downtown Inn Hotel in Chiang Mai was 23 year old Sarah Carter. And five other people died from causes which have been unexplained over a 16-day period following the New Year. Four of these people stayed at the Downtown Inn Hotel.
Ron McDowell, who is a UN scientists, has said it is likely Carter died from excessive exposure to the chlorpyrifos. And identical symptoms were suffered by several other tourists who died after staying at the Downtown Inn Hotel. Most of the victims had myocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart.
Dr Surasing Visaruthrat, who is the head of Chiang Mai's department of public health has said "I'm not a specialist. But it's possible that they mixed together the wrong chemicals." Because traces of chlorpyrifos were found three months after Carter's death and after the hotel room was cleaned it has been suggested the concentration of this chemical was high.
McDowall has commented "I think she has been killed by an overzealous sprayer who's been acting on the instructions of the hotel owner to deal with bed bugs." It is felt that even a small error in the dosage of chlorpyrifos could be lethal. Other experts from New Zealand and Italy have agreed with this assumption.
Sources:
Bangkok Post, "Lethal bug toxin found in hotel", May 9, 2011, ThePost Publishing PCL
Join the Conversation