Bihar Mid Day Meal Poisoning: Heavy Quantity of Insecticides found in Food Samples

Mid Day Meal for ChildrenPatna: The Report of Forensic Science Laboratory in Bihar says that heavy quantity of Insecticides were present in the Food Sample collected from the Dharmasati Primary School in Saran, where Mid Day Poisoning took place leading to the Death of over 23 Children last week.

As per reports the concentration of  a substance Monocrotophos in the collected food sample was found to be 5x more than the allowed quantity. Monocrotophos is an organophosphate insecticide. It is acutely toxic to birds and humans, and for that reason has been banned in the U.S. and many other countries.

According to Reports, commercially available brand known as Hilcron might have been used to poison the Food Materials.  The Investigators had seized the Jar used to keep Oil for the Mid Day Meals and found the oil remains poisoned with heavy quantity of Monocrotophos. The same was found in the plates and other  food samples. Report further alleges that the poisoning might have taken place during the transportation of Oil to the School from a local shop, which establishes a well planned conspiracy.

Monocrotophos is classified WHO Ib, highly hazardous, and has been responsible for deaths resulting from accidental or intentional exposure. It is highly toxic orally, as well by inhalation or absorption through the skin.

Early symptoms of poisoning may include excessive sweating, headache, weakness, giddiness, nausea, vomiting, hypersalivation, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, blurred vision and slurred speech. Inhalation or skin contact may increase the susceptibility to the pesticide without showing immediate symptoms.

But this doesn’t seems to be the end of such cases. As per reports,  25 Female Students of Kasturba Gandhi Girls Boarding School in Chhatapur, Supal  have fallen ill at once. They are suffering from Viral Fever and Dysentery. They are being treated in School only and Doctors have denied any serious case there.