Phosphate fertilizer is a main source of arsenic in areas affected with chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology in Sri Lanka

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Table 1 Arsenic content of the synthetic and natural fertilizers available in Sri Lanka

Type of fertilizer	No of samples	Range of as content (mg/kg)	Mean as content (mg/kg)	Imported quantity in 2012 (MT)
TSP*⁺	17	25.49-37.86	31.00	108229
Eppawala rock phosphate	15	3.4-21.81	8.56	PP
Dolamite	15	6.01-7.61	6.58	PP
NPK mixture#	15	1.95-7.28	5.88	4879
Urea*⁺	18	0.88-1.09	0.92	302831
Ammonium sulphate*	10	0.71-1.21	0.94	77199
Cattle manure mix	18	0.76-1.02	0.84	PP
MOP*⁺	18	ND-1.02	0.44	111855
Compost	20	ND-1.34	0.41	PP
Chicken manure	18	0.25-0.72	0.38	PP
Liquid fertilizer^#	15	ND-0.65	0.33	241222
Paddy husk charcoal	16	ND-0.23	0.10	PP
Coir dust	16	ND	0.00	PP
Wood charcoal	15	ND	0.00	PP

PP Purchased and produced in Sri Lanka. *The government imports and heavily subsidizes these fertilizers. ⁺mainly used in rice cultivation ^#Imported by private sector and not used in paddy cultivation.