Open burning solid waste is a widespread standard practice in India. Vrishabhavathi river basin in Bengaluru is no exception. On 24 Mar 2021, The Hindu, reported huge fires on the banks of Vrishabhavathi river in Kengeri, Bengaluru.
Annex C of Stockholm Convention (to which India is a signatory) lists open burning of wastes as a source of unintentional formation and release of dangerous chemicals – DIOXINS and FURANS. These substances are part of so called ‘Dirty Dozen’– a group of dangerous chemicals known as persistent organic chemicals (POPs). The ash and burnt residues which contains these dangerous substances enters the waterways and settle in the sediments.
Highly toxic to aquatic organisms, these chemicals bioaccumulate causing developmental and reproductive toxicity, driving them to extinction. The case is the same with birds.
We are exposed to bioaccumulated Dioxins and Furans through food, mainly meat, dairy products and fish, all of which is grown/produced using Vrishabhavati river water (including Byramangala tank command area). Based on this, we can conclude that food, mainly meat, dairy products and fish are contaminated with these dirty dozen chemicals.
Dioxins and Furans impact on human health is well documented by World Health organization (WHO). They have been scientifically implicated in causing hormonal imbalance. Ample scientific research has shown that women are more at risk for disruption of thyroid hormone. Making matters worse, these substances are transferred from mother to babies (via breast milk), thus providing a pathway for the babies to be born ‘pre-polluted’.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) released a newsletter in 2004 to generate awareness and strategic management of these chemicals. Since then till now, neither has India set standards nor has it created the necessary infrastructure to monitor.
It is our initiative to at least create an inventory of the sources of these chemicals.
