Debris from X-PRESS PEARL could be 'carcinogenic'

COLOMBO (News 1st): The debris from the distressed vessel MV X-PRESS PEARL continues to accumulate along Sri Lanka's Western coast including the Negombo beach. Joining an interview with News 1st on Friday (May 28), Deputy Director-General of Health Services, Dr. Hemantha Herath, emphasized that it is very dangerous to touch or collect the debris and take such material home. "Given the lack of knowledge on the content of the debris from X-PRESS PEARL, it is EXTREMELY dangerous to collect the content as the effects may NOT even appear now, but later in time," Dr. Herath stressed. According to Dr. Hemantha Herath, certain chemicals in the debris could cause long-term poisoning and may even include cancer-causing components.