BIOMEDICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF SOME COCONUT-DERIVED PRODUCTS AND THEIR PRODUCTION PROCESSES IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

The coconut palm is said to have been introduced to Sri Lanka over2300 years ago. Several industries have grown up to process products fromthis tree. Many of these production units have traditionally been located inrural areas and any adverse environmental impacts have in the past beenconsidered negligible or not very serious. However, with the development ofthese industries and the increasing density of population more concern isbeing taken to identify and mitigate any adverse environmental effects andbiomedical effects on workers in these industries as well as the general public.The industries examined in this article relate to the production of I) coconutoil, 2) desiccated coconut, 3).charcoal and activated carbon and 4) husk fibreand coir pith. Biomedical aspects of some of these products are also noted aswell as articles which can serve as guides to the literature in each area.