SPSTI organises workshop on toxic effects

By Punjabnewswire4u

CHANDIGARH, FEB 12

In view of the huge public concern relating to high incidence of cancer in certain parts of Punjab, Society for Promotion of Science and Technology in India (SPSTI) organized a workshop, “Public Health and Heavy Metal Toxicity in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh Region-A Holistic Approach” today at the ICSSR seminar hall in Panjab Universiy campus. More than fifty experts from various disciplines and institutions including PU, PGIMER, PAU from Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh participated in the workshop.

This workshop was organised to address the increasing concern in the general population of the State of Punjab about the toxic effects brought about by presence of trace and heavy metals, including uranium, found in its soil, and ground water. Some aspects of the problem have been  highlighted in work carried out in Panjab University, Chandigarh and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai as well as sporadic reports by researchers from the Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.

Recently, a special group constituted by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, proposed that there could be multiple sources of uranium in this belt, such as fly-ash generated from thermal power stations and cement factories, loading of soil by Uranium from fertilizers, geological sources etc. The “Cancer Express” from Bhatinda to Bikaner has been much publicised.

It is envisaged that some of the above mentioned toxic substances may very well be present in the soil and ground water in Haryana. Thus arose the idea of a platform where medical personnel, geologists, chemists, soil scientists and all other practitioners of science could sit together and discuss the problem in a holistic way.

The workshop was inaugurated by Prof. Arun Kumar Grover, Vice Chancellor, Panjab University who stressed the need for local societal problems to be approached by academic bodies, in particular, Science Academies. The keynote speaker was Prof. E. W. Schnug, a distinguished Professor from Braunschweig University in Germany, who is a world authority on uranium loading of soil by fertilizers. Researchers from universities in Punjab such as PAU, Punjabi University Patiala and from Haryana such as Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, along with representatives from Punjab Health and Family Welfare Department, and PGIMER Chandigarh presented their work alongside colleagues from Panjab University, Chandigarh.

They came up with the observation that the concentration of uranium in ground water is at a level which may not be the cause of toxicity causing cancer. In fact, the data shown suggested that cancer may not have reached the alarming proportions as claimed by media and some agencies. However, it was generally agreed that the groundwater in the Malwa belt as well as in some pockets of Haryana and Himachal, are above the worldwide average concentration.

The panel discussion which took place in the afternoon session, guided by Prof. D. V. S. Jain, a renowned chemist, proved to be a passionate affair. In the light of the information given by the presenters, a set of recommendations were made to both the academic/scientific fraternity as well as the State and Central governments. It was felt that comprehensive and systematic research projects and surveys be taken up in order to address the issue of heavy toxicity caused by not only heavy metals but other types too, which have direct bearing on public health in a more holistic way to address this societal issue of utmost importance and urgency. The problem needs to be tackled through interdisciplinary approach. The Universities/National Institutes should offer their manpower expertise and analytical facility at no profit no loss basis for measurement of samples related to the Coordinated Research Projects.

 PU professors, Keya Dharamvir, Gen. Secretary of SPSTI and Alok Srivastava, Humboldt fellow, were the coordinators of the workshop. Based on the deliberations during the workshop, the SPSTI would send recommendations to the State and Central Governments for handling the matter.

Mr. Dharam Vir, President and Prof. Suman Beri, Vice President of SPSTI welcomed the delegates and proposed a vote of thanks.