Veggies in Nagpur Are Lethal
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SUNDAY TheHitavada 5 SundaeNAGPUR Sunday April 19 2015 Beware! Veggies in Nagpur are lethal A research conducted by city teachers brings out areas and even persist after Lead testing lab proposal washing. Khamla and Cotton some startling facts that the quantity of heavy metals Source of pollutants market areas having high con- gathering dust centration of lead, whereas in vegetables, water and soil were found to be much IMMERSION of idols, garbage containing electronic goods and Gokulpeth area shows less con- more than the permissible limit. The vegetables that used batteries, CFL bulbs are major pollutants of water bodies UNDER Project Lead Free, several testing stations were started tamination. in the city. Nag river is polluted because of dumping of garbage in India. National Referral Centre for Lead projects in India took The health hazards caused by we are consuming can actually be harmful for us... and release of industrial waste. initiative in opening the testing centres, as 22,000 persons, most- these heavy metals are carried The pollutants enter human body through vegetables grown ly children in seven major cities were found to have been affect- to next generations. Lead and ■ By Ajay Mardikar of water for vegetable growers using this water, consumption of fish from these water, water ed by lead poisoning (1998-99). The cities under the study were mercury are known to have in and around Nagpur, is high- used for domestic purpose by residents near these water bod- Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and caused great damage to brain, EWARE Nagpurians! ly polluted with poisonous heavy ies etc. Garbage collectors are at high risk as proper method of Vellore. In Nagpur, a centre was proposed to be started. However, which, unfortunately is not Vegetables you are metals. The other water bodies disposal of used batteries, fused bulbs containing mercury the proposal is still gathering dust with NRCLPI and Government detected at early stage. consuming for in the city like Ambazari and vapour etc is never followed. The garbage collectors are not trained authorities. Unfortunately, facilities for testing lead or mercu- Besides water, air and soil, healthy body may Futala Lakes, Gandhi Sagar are to handle these hazardous wastes. ry content in blood are not available even at Government Medical gasoline additives, food can sol- actually cause health also polluted with heavy metals Children are more prone to getting affected by these pollu- College and Hospital or Indira Gandhi Government Medical dering, lead based paints, ceram- Bproblems. This has been indi- like Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, tants. Using crayons, living in houses and school or even play- College and Hospital in Nagpur. ic glazers, drinking water system cated by research conducted by Manganese, Zinc, iron, nickel, ing with toys painted with lead based paints cause serious health (pipe and tank coatings), cos- teachers from Laxminarayan mercury and lead etc. Some of hazards among children. Early detection of the ill-effect is not focussed on pollution of water in high quantity, followed by metics, industrial emission like Institute of Technology, Sevadal them are essential micronutri- possible because of lack of adequate facilities. The symptoms in major water bodies in Nagpur. cadmium, lead, mercury and in lead smelters and battery recy- Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Mohota ents, but their high concentra- also are not easily understood at early stage. P J Puri and MKN Yenkie of LIT; arsenic. cling industry, are the major Science College and tion may cause severe health S P Sangam and N V Gandhare Another study of lead content source of pollution. It may be Government Institute of Science. problems. High concentration Gupta from Mathuradas Mohota Water samples from Nag riv- of Nabira Mahavidyalaya, Katol in spinach (Palak leaves) was caused due to consumption of The issue of excessive heavy of these pollutants are danger- Science College. The samples er and soil samples from five and G B Sarode of Regional conducted by Shital Kharwade contaminated food, through air metal content in water, soil and ous for animal health and may were drawn from Mahalgaon vil- vegetable farms were also test- Forensic Science Laboratory, and Sunil Ganatra of or water. food items in the city has cause gastrointestinal disorders, lage in Kamptee taluka of Nagpur ed and it was found that heavy Nagpur conducted the research. Government Institute of Science, Impairing oxygen carrying remained neglected, although affect kidney, liver, bones, brain district. Based on the parame- metal contest in water and soil Water samples from Ambazari, in the year 2014. molecules in blood, anemia, kid- several studies world-wide and and may even cause cancers of ters set by Food and Agriculture is also higher than the permis- Futala, Gandhi Sagar and The study was focused on the ney diseases, impaired fertility, even in Nagpur have been made skin and other body organs. Oranisation of United States and sible limit. These pollutants from Gorewada Lake were drawn. contamination of lead concen- blood pressure, permanent brain on the issue in the recent past. Heavy metal contents in veg- World Health Organisations, tox- water and soil are absorbed in Ambazari, Futala and Gandhi tration through vehicular emis- damage are common impact of The quantity of heavy metals etables Brinjal, Cauliflower, icity in the vegetables were test- the vegetables. Sagar were found to be highly sion in vegetables particularly these pollutants on animal bod- in vegetables, water and soil were Spinach, Bathua, Chawli, which ed. The concentration of A research on pollutants like polluted with zinc, chromium Spinach. Lead contamination in ies. Children are more suscep- found to be much more than the are consumed very frequently by iron and zinc was cadmium, iron, zinc, arsenic, and iron Spinach was reported in all tible to these pollutants. permissible limit. Nagpurians, were tested in the very high, fol- mercury, lead and chromi- ■ Nag river which is laboratory by Dr A S lowed by copper, um was conducted the main source Mahakalkar and Dr S N nickel and by researchers from Nandeshwar from lead. Laxminarayan Sevadal Mahila Institute of Mahavidyalaya Technology. and Dr R The study was G Musical Chair: Take it seriously Her canvas blooms with IT’S A SPORT NOW Nature’s inspiration Gone are the days when Musical el competition, Shoeb said, “Students were charged-up for the first State-level competi- Chair was just a pastime in parties, tion (after Government’s recognition) to be scheduled in Solapur. picnics or get togethers. With But the dates are being postponed damp- Maharashtra Government’s latest ening the spirit of students. Though Nagpur Sport Office is very supportive but other decision, this musical game is now Sports Departments seem unwilling to pro- officially a sport... Tukaram Mohd mote the game,” he added. Thombare Shoeb “The Federation will bear all the expens- ■ By Pallavi Patil (Borkar) es of the tournament for the next three years,” informed Tukaram Thombare, who is also a HE bygone era of playing musical Skating and Marshal Arts coach. He further chair brings alive some fond nos- added, “We will get the grants only when we talgic memories. Gone are the days show improvement in promotion of the game. when musical chair was just a pas- For now, students will only get Government time in parties, picnics or get certificate of participation.” Ttogethers. With Maharashtra Government’s “A World Cup is on the cards though,” con- latest decision, this musical game is now offi- firms an excited Thombare. Explaining he said, cially a sport. “We are planning to organise the World Cup The officials of Maharashtra Musical Chair of Musical Chair this year or early next year.” City painter Pradnya Rahane Besekar Association have been persuading and con- Thombare cleared that only State Government vincing officers from Directorate of Sports to has added this game in State Board curricu- finds her true calling in nature. Her gain recognition for the game. The efforts final- Chavan from Akola, Vijay Singh Rajput from lum. canvas comes alive with Mother Earth. ly bore fruits. However, the decision came Pune, and Rahul Waghmare from Mumbai. It is to be mentioned that the Association with a prerequisite that officials of Musical “Earlier, people made fun of us for pro- organises free training camps and if required She has organised a painting expo at Chair Federation of India would popularise moting a ‘not so happening’ game. However, a minimal entry fees is charged for the camps. Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai... the game enough in the next three years so we never let criticism affect us and focussed The officials make frequent visits to schools as to get grants and facilities like other sports. on our goal. And the results are for everyone and encourage the students. Trained coach- ■ By Iffat A Sheikh Talking to ‘The Hitavada’ Tukaram to see,” he continues with a smile. “Our aim es provide professional training with a min- Thombare, Secretary, Maharashtra Musical to promote this game was to provide an alter- imal training fee while it is provided for free AINTING is the best stress buster for Chair Association (MMCA) who has formed nate to rich games that were far from the reach in the schools. Pradnya Rahane Besekar. It is the best The paintings that were on display at the Hirjee the Federation said, “Finally, our efforts are of poor and middle-class children,” he Also, keen students who cannot afford way to unwind. She is channelising her Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai. bearing fruits and Government has taken explains. “We give training for free. This skates are given skates by the organisation emotions through paint and brush. The cognisance of our hard work. excludes reasons to complaint for the par- during practice and tournaments.