No need to panic!
Chemical expert moves to calm cancer fears at CRH; says specialists need time, resources
AMID FEARS that some health workers stationed at the Cornwall Regional Hospital (CRH) could have been exposed to serious health hazards, based on a Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) report pointing out that cancer-causing agents have been found in the hospital, renowned chemist Professor Ishenkumba Kahwa has declared that it’s not time to panic.
The PAHO report detailed that Stachybotrys spp colonies were found inside the operating theatre, adding that it is a very toxic and highly allergic mould.
“Both Stachybrotrys and Aspergillus fungi produce potent mycotoxins. Some are known carcinogens,” the reported noted.
But speaking with The Gleaner yesterday, Kahwa, who is also the deputy principal of the University of the West Indies, Mona, said that while it was within expectation for the allergic agents of the mould to affect the eyes and nose with little exposure, it is not quite the case for it causing cancer.
“The mould itself is not harmful. It is the chemical that they produce. Some of those chemicals can lead to cancer – cancer of the liver, and so on,” he told The Gleaner.
“But the point is, whereas it has been established that those chemicals can cause cancer, what is clear from the studies we have seen is that you would need to ingest a lot of it in order to get that effect,” added the chemist, who has done extensive work in hazardous material, including asbestos.
“In terms of cancer and other very serious ailments, you really need to ingest large amounts of contaminated materials,” he said.
Pressed further, Kahwa describe how much is said to be “a large amount”.
“For example, if someone would eat a whole lot of peanuts that have been infected or been in intimate contact with animal feed that has been contaminated”.
He added: “In my view, I think there is no need to panic. But, there is a need to actually deal with the problem in a systematic and effective way. I think we need to insist that the Government provide the resources necessary to effectively deal with the problem.”