Sugar Cane Laborers Dying of Chronic Kidney Disease

In chronic kidney disease (CKD), the kidneys don’t usually fail all at once. Instead, kidney disease often progresses slowly over a period of years. The stages of CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease) are mainly based on measured or estimated GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate). CKD does not usually cause symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage.

Thousands of sugar cane harvesters in Nicaragua and El Salvador are dying of chronic kidney disease (CKD), reports the Latin Post, and their disease possibly could have been prevented or treated.

Researchers say that a majority of sugar cane workers in Chichigalpa, Nicaragua, for example, have no major CKD risk factors, such as diabetes or hypertension. Yet, 68% percent of the men have CKD and the average worker is dying at age 48. It's a deplorable situation.

Field owners often blame alcoholism. The opposing side cite poor working conditions, including long hours in the field and dehydration. While labor rights legislation to protect workers exists, the mandates are frequently ignored. So far, pesticides haven't been linked to the problem.

Filmmaker Ed Kashi created the documentary “Under Cane” for La Isla Foundation to shed light on this shocking health crisis in the hopes of stirring greater action. The few groups already working to improve the situation have been facing an uphill battle.