The increasingly poor state of the river Yamuna might affect all of us a lot more than we originally thought. While we all know the Yamuna is one the most heavily polluted rivers in the world, the shocking news is how many of these pollutants are now making their way into our food.
According to a study conducted by The Energy Research Institute (TERI), fruits and vegetables grown on the banks of Yamuna show high concentrations of heavy metals like lead, nickel, and chromium which are toxic to the heart, bones, intestines, kidneys, and reproductive and nervous systems. Also present in samples were fecal coliform bacteria which cause vomiting, diarrhoea, gastroenteritis, blood infection, dehydration, urinary infection and kidney dysfunction.
The toxins levels were highest in leafy vegetables like spinach. Disturbingly, vegetables and fruits are also washed in this water before being sent to markets. Toxics Link founder Ravi Aggarwal stated that “Mandis stock vegetables grown along the Yamuna using the river water. For instance, vegetables from Okhla mandi come from areas near Okhla barrage and vegetables from Wazirabad goes to Azadpur mandi.”
The best medicine may just be prevention. In adherence to organic standards, absolutely no sewage water can be used to irrigate fields. Skip the chemicals and the harmful bacteria with organic produce.
Find the sources for this article here:
The Hindu: The Yamuna Is Poisoned And So Are Your Vegetables
TOI: Yamuna Veggies Toxic: Study
Daily Mail UK: Toxic Yamuna Veggies on Your Menu: Health Fears Over River Bank Vegetables Contaminated With Sewage Water
I Say Organic. What do you say?
Leave a Reply