'Evil spirit' parasol trees flood schools in Vinh City

(Baonghean.vn) - The toxicity of the parasol tree fruit is the cause of many cases of mass poisoning among students recently. This plant is commonly grown in schools in Vinh City.

The parasol tree has been identified to contain the toxic protein Toxalbumin in its fruit and is the cause of many recent mass poisonings among students. Photo: CT

On April 18, the Ministry of Health issued a dispatch requesting localities and sectors to implement urgent measures to prevent poisoning of students in schools due to eating fruits found on school grounds. This move came right after news of a series of mass poisoning cases of students in Nghe An due to eating fruits of the parasol tree.

Specifically, the Ministry of Health proposed cutting down the parasol tree and some other poisonous plants (oleander, aconite, belladonna, castor oil, etc.) planted in school grounds.

According to the records of Nghe An Newspaper reporters, in Vinh City, the parasol tree alone is present in over 50% of primary and secondary schools. There are not many schools that plant parasol trees in their campuses such as Doi Cung Primary School, Le Loi Secondary School, Hung Binh Secondary School, Cua Nam Secondary School, etc.

Parasol tree in the yard of Hung Binh Secondary School, Vinh City. Photo: TA

The parasol tree in the yard of Doi Cung Primary School has a canopy that extends over the yard of Doi Cung Secondary School, causing parasol fruit to fall onto the yard of both schools. Photo: TA

However, many schools do not plant parasol trees in their campuses, but the trees are present in front of the school gates, sometimes with their canopy extending into the school yard. This is the case of the following schools: Le Mao Primary School, Cua Nam Primary School, Dong Vinh Primary School, Trung Do Secondary School, Nguyen Truong To Secondary School, etc.

Mr. Cao Van Hung (residing in Cua Nam, Vinh City) whose child is studying at Cua Nam Primary School said: “Reading the newspaper about poisoning cases due to eating parasol trees, I am very worried because in front of the school gate where my child is studying, there are 2 large parasol trees, their canopies extending into the school yard. If there is a plan to cut down the trees, I will fully support it.

We should even cut down the parasol trees in the city, not just in schools, because these trees have no value, the wood is brittle, and easily breaks during the rainy and stormy season.

The parasol tree is outside the campus of Cua Nam Primary School but its canopy extends into the school yard. Photo: CT

According to statistics from Vinh City Park Green Tree Joint Stock Company, the city currently has about 15,000 parasol trees, accounting for 30% of the total number of large trees in the city. According to the opinions of many people, especially parents with children in kindergarten, primary school and secondary school, it is necessary to carefully consider the option of cutting down parasol trees in school grounds.

One reason is that as observed by the reporter and the above data, parasol trees are present in many places outside the school campus, sometimes right in front of the school gate or on the streets near the school.

Another reason is that, according to many people, instead of cutting down trees, educating children about the dangers of poisonous plants is a more drastic measure.

On April 21, Nghe An Department of Education also issued an official dispatch on this issue, but did not mention specific plans or relevant responsible units.

NPV