Latest news with #Chlorfenapyr
Egypt Independent
6 days ago
- Health
- Egypt Independent
What killed a family of 7 in Minya? The dark truth revealed
Hundreds of villagers from Dalija village in the Dermawas city, Minya governorate mourned Nasser Mohamed Ali, the father of six children who died in the village over the past two weeks. The father passed away just three days after the death of his last child, 'Farha.' The grieving family's grave was opened for the seventh time in 14 days. Ali was transferred to Assiut University Hospital last week after his health deteriorated in Minya Hospital, where he was receiving treatment following the successive deaths of his six children in a mysterious incident – the details of which are only beginning to emerge. The grim tragedy began about two weeks ago with the successive deaths of four siblings, amid initial suspicions that they had contracted meningitis; this was denied by the Ministry of Health in an official statement. Although the fifth and sixth children, Rahma and Farha, were transferred to the hospital for close observation, they followed their siblings one by one, before their father joined them on Friday. Chlorfenapyr – a toxic substance with no antidote A professor of toxicology at the Faculty of Medicine at Minya University, who directly supervised the fifth and sixth victims (Rahma and Farha), Mohamed Ismail Abdel-Hafeez, explained that the symptoms exhibited by the children, as well as their father, are consistent with poisoning by the pesticide Chlorfenapyr. This conclusion was reached after extensive consultations with toxicology experts at Alexandria and Ain Shams universities, and comparing the case to previous rare cases, he explained. Abdel-Hafeez pointed out that one of the biggest challenges in the Minya children's case was the inability to detect the toxic substance in conventional laboratory blood tests, which is consistent with the properties of Chlorfenapyr. He noted that in more than 35 years of medical practice, he had never witnessed such a strange and complex case. The vital functions of the victims initially appeared stable before suddenly and fatally deteriorating, starting with an irregular heartbeat and ending with complete cardiac arrest. The professor of toxicology at Faculty of Medicine at Minya University continued that there is no treatment or antidote for this substance. He pointed out that these substances are naturally toxic and must be handled with care. Abdel-Hafeez said that 'Half a gram is enough to kill an adult. Symptoms may appear after hours or days, depending on each individual's body, and how it reacts.' Chlorfenapyr is used in agriculture to control pests. It disrupts the energy production process within the body's cells, leading to systemic failure and tissue death, making it a silent killer that is difficult to detect and treat. Second wife under suspicion The Public Prosecution is continuing its investigations with the children's mother (the father's second wife) and the grandfather, in an attempt to unravel the mystery of the successive deaths within the family. The deaths began about two weeks ago with the death of three of the children, followed by their fourth brother, then the two girls, Rahma and Farha, and finally the father. Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
EU curbs on chemicals may impact Assam tea export
Guwahati: The Tea Research Association Tocklai (TRA Tocklai) in Assam, recognised as the world's oldest and largest tea research facility, has raised serious concerns about new European Union Commission regulations restricting three chemical compounds commonly used in Indian tea production, particularly in Assam. According to officials, the regulations will lower the Maximum Residue Level (MRL) of Thiamethoxam and Clothianidin to 0.05 ppm from March 2026. Similar constraints for Thiacloprid were effective from May. These substances are essential for controlling pests in tea plantations. Various Indian organisations, including the Tea Board, TRA Tocklai, department of commerce, and Indian Embassy in the EU, have approached DG Sanco and DG Trade of the EU, requesting time to phase out existing chemicals until alternatives receive approval. India's tea exports to the EU and UK amount to 53 million kgs per annum, predominantly from Assam. These regulations can impact the supply of 40 million kgs from Assam every year. EU and UK importers are worried about purchasing Indian teas, as they maintain tea stocks for 12-24 months, potentially facing compliance issues when the new regulations take effect. Indian Embassy representatives in Brussels are scheduled to meet EU officials in early June to address trade matters. The Embassy has sought information from TRA Tocklai and the Tea Board regarding alternative substances, transition plans, and scientific evidence supporting extension requests, along with the potential effects of neonicotinoid restrictions on tea exports. TRA Tocklai has petitioned senior EU officials for a five-year transition period from current chemicals to newer alternatives. "Since good Assam orthodox teas are exported to the EU and UK, the new EU regulation may cause a major hindrance to exports, and reputed tea importers like Thiele & Co have sought the intervention of the Assam chief minister in saving the reduction of tea exports from Assam," said Joydeep Phukan, secretary and principal officer at TRA Tocklai. "The alternatives such as Chlorfenapyr, Tolfenpyrad, and Flupyradifurone are not approved for use in tea by CIBRC India," he added. German tea importer Thiele & Freese has appealed to Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma for support against these restrictions, emphasising the critical situation with "Assam tea in danger." The traditional East Frisian tea, of which Assam tea is an integral part, is recognised as a Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage, dating back some 450 years. "With an annual per capita consumption of 300 litres, our region ranks among the top globally in tea consumption," read the letter. The letter emphasised that premium second flush Assam teas are crucial for high-quality blends, declaring "Assam tea is indispensable."
