Burning Sugarcane Likely Behind Mystery Kidney Disease In Agricultural Workers: Study

A study suggests that the burning of sugarcane and rice husks may be releasing a toxic substance that is contributing to a mysterious kidney disease affecting agricultural workers in countries like India, Sri Lanka, the US, and several others.

Researchers have noted an ongoing epidemic of chronic kidney disease among manual laborers in hot agricultural communities worldwide. While heat stress and climate change are recognized factors, the study identifies tiny silica particles released from sugarcane ash as a potential cause of chronic kidney damage. These particles can be inhaled or ingested through contaminated drinking water.

Jared Brown, a professor at the University of Colorado and one of the senior authors of the study, highlighted the significance of this discovery, saying, "To date, there are no studies we are aware of that have identified a toxicant that can cause chronic kidney disease that is actually present in the kidney tissues of patients suffering from this unknown disease. These data provide an important clue to the mystery and suggest that, in addition to heat stress from climate change, toxicants from sugarcane ash could be contributing to the disease."

The study found significantly more silica particles in the kidney tissue of patients with this specific disease compared to those with other known kidney conditions. The disease is believed to be linked to exposure to sugarcane ash, which contains amorphous silica nanoparticles. This process may also apply to those working in rice paddies, where burning can release ash containing silica.

Richard Johnson, a professor at the University of Colorado and another senior author, noted the preliminary nature of the findings and suggested that sugarcane burning, in addition to contributing to climate change, might be a potential risk factor for the mysterious kidney disease among agricultural workers. This disease is one of the first newly recognized diseases specifically associated with a warming climate, and the discovery of toxicants' involvement may lead to increased efforts to address the issue, particularly in regions near sugarcane fields.