Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu) has emerged as a major health issue in
Sri Lanka, particularly among male agricultural workers in dry-zone districts. This study aimed
to identify key environmental, occupational, and dietary risk factors contributing to the disease.
A mixed-methods approach was used, combining environmental sampling, community surveys,
and stakeholder interviews. Water and soil samples collected from ten CKDu-endemic sites
were analysed for heavy metals. Results indicated frequent exceedance of WHO safety
thresholds for arsenic, cadmium, and lead, especially in Hingurakgoda, Padaviya, and Elahera.
Water and Soil Quality Index scores further confirmed degraded environmental quality linked
to intensive agricultural practices.
Occupational assessments revealed prolonged exposure to high temperatures and inadequate
hydration among farming populations, consistent with clinical records linking heat stress to
kidney damage. Dietary assessments showed heavy dependence on rice cultivated in
contaminated soils and irrigated with polluted water, with limited dietary diversity contributing
to chronic nephrotoxin exposure.
Together, these findings demonstrate that CKDu in the study regions is associated with
combined risks from agrochemical contamination, occupational heat stress, and dietary
vulnerability. The results highlight the need for integrated interventions that address
environmental, occupational, and nutritional drivers of CKDu to safeguard farming
communities in Sri Lanka.