The latest news report about toxicity of uranium in drinking waters of Punjab is very alarming and stunning. Many deaths from cancer have already occurred in Bhatinda district, the most affected area of Punjab. Uranium is radioactive substance and may take heavy toll of human life if remedial steps were not taken immediately.
A very alarming situation has arisen in Punjab as far as drinking water is concerned. According to latest survey reports, the level of normal toxicity of uranium in Punjab drinking waters has exceeded beyond the normal standard limits. A parliamentary panel has expressed grave concerns about contamination
In its initial assessment the BARC has opinioned that there might be uranium contamination in Punjab waters. The panel has tabled its report regarding toxicity of drinking waters of Punjab in the parliament during its current session.
Uranium is radio active substance. It has potential to cause incalculable damage to human health, human beings, livestock, Environment and bio –safety.
The dozens of villages of Bhatinda and Muktsar district are under the toxic effect of uranium. There are two thermal plant in Bhatinda in which tones of coal is consumed daily. There are rumors in the area circulating that the coal consumption is giving rise to uranium toxicity in Bhatinda. But central environmental department has denied such rumors and reports. According to sources of environmental department the ash and soot produced by coal consumptions is below the standard parameters.
Some time ago, the Bhaba atomic research centre Bombay, has collected 235 samples of underground drinking water from the four districts of Malwa belt. And the confirmation of uranium was ascertained beyond doubt. The world health organization has standardized normal contamination of drinking water of uranium at 15PPB. The toxic level of uranium in the drinking water of village karmasr satra belonging to Bhatinda district has been found to be 644ppb i.e. 644 parts per billion in a sample of drinking water.. The toxic level of uranium of drinking water of villages Guyana and jajjal are 292 and 293 respectively. In both these villages many people have died of cancer in last few years.
The research history of toxicity of uranium in Punjab waters may be traced back to 20009 to the report of Dr Carin Smit, the toxicologist, belonging to South African. Dr Smit has collected samples of hairs of head and urine samples of 149 children who were backward mentally and physically. These children were affected with birth abnormalities including physical deformities, neurological and mental disorders. He sent these samples to Microtrace Mineral Lab; Germany In one of these samples more than sixty times of the maximum safe limit, of uranium was found. This research report stunned the people of Punjab.
The most toxic effects of uranium have been observed in Bhatinda and Muktsar districts of Punjab. There is manifold rise in cancer deaths in this districts.Besides cancer, mentally retarded children births, barrenness problems, paralyzed children, neurological disorders of children are very common occurrences in the area. The uranium is not only found in drinking underground water but it is found in food articles of daily use also. Uranium has crossed safety and danger marks in food articles. 2.38 micrograms perlitre