Punjab’s children face long exposure to heavy metals: Study

A study published in a New Zealand-based scientific journal has reported that children in Faridkot area have for long been exposed to a large number of heavy metals,including lead,barium,cadmium,manganese and uranium. Titled ‘Metal Exposure in Children of Punjab,India’,the study has been conducted by the Baba Farid Center for Special Children and 149 children from various parts of Punjab comprised the sample space.

The results claim that all children show evidence of past and immediate exposure to one or more metals. On the findings,Baba Farid Centre for Special Children president Dr Pritpal Singh said: “The study has concluded that these children have been exposed to a large number of heavy metals. The authors of the study have asserted that India has become a dumping ground for toxic materials. The study adds that Punjab has become vulnerable to environmental toxicity because of excessive use of agriculture-based chemicals.”