Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says exposure to an organophosphate, Terbufos, caused the deaths of six children in Naledi, Soweto.
He told a news conference: “The organophosphate identified in this instance is called Terbufos. All six children died of Terbufos ingestion.”
According to TimesLIVE, it remains unclear how the children were exposed to the compound. Signs and symptoms of organophosphate toxicity are severe diarrhoea, vomiting, foaming at the mouth and nose, tears readily flowing from the eyes without crying, and constant urination.
Motsoaledi is quoted as saying: “Police found a packet of chips in the pocket of one child. This was also sent for analysis. The results were found to be negative.”
TimesLIVE reports that samples taken from 84 spaza shops in Soweto have been sent to the National Health Laboratory Service for testing.
Motsoaledi said: “We are waiting to see if the same organophosphate was found in the spaza shops. So far, we have not made that link.”
According to Wikipedia, Terbufos is used on various crops including bananas, beans, citrus, coffee, groundnuts, sorghum, potatoes, sunflowers and maize as soil cover to combat wireworms, mossy beetles, beet flies and the black bean louse.
Wikipedia says Terbufos is not approved for use in the European Union, and that the World Health Organisation says that Terbufos is a class Ia compound, meaning that it is extremely hazardous.
Zinhle Maama, 7, Monica Sathekge, 6, Njabulo Msimango, 7, Karabo Rampou, 8, Isago Mabote, 7, and Katleho Olifant, 7, died earlier this month. It was widely reported that they died after allegedly eating poisoned snacks.
Motsoaledi said while the cause of the children’s poisoning was not Aldicarb, as had been previously speculated, this was a dangerous substance and consumers should steer clear of it.
Aldicarb is a carbamate and is widely sold on the streets, despite being a banned product.
[Image: OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]