Ahmedabad: The improperly disposed garbage mounds at Pirana, which originate as unsegregated waste at our homes and have been carelessly piled up at the dumpsite for over four decades, are now bearing serious consequences on the health of Amdavadis.
Researchers from the National Forensic Science University recently undertook an environmental impact assessment of the site and found hazardous contaminants leaching into our air, water and soil, affecting the entire city. The results, published in the Springer-Nature’s Institution of Engineers (India) journal, reveal high levels of heavy metal contamination.
Beginning with air, the study by John D’Costa, Djibril Sekou Keita, and Harshad Patel of the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) and Vincent Braganza of the Xavier Research Foundation, Ahmedabad, reveals that particulate matter of size 10 microns and less, or PM10, levels were consistently above 200 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3), double the permissible limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO). This dipped only during monsoons. PM2.5, another harmful particulate matter, also exhibited worrying levels, exceeding the WHO limit of 60 µg/m3, particularly during winters and summers.
The team’s analysis of water samples from the site showed alarmingly high fluoride levels, reaching 9mg/l, far above WHO’s permissible limit of 1.5 mg/l. “This contamination is likely due to leachate from the landfill, industrial waste disposal, and agricultural practices,” states the study. Nitrate levels in surface water were also a major concern, reaching 170 mg/l, significantly higher than the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (US EPA) drinking water regulation of 10 mg/l. The study attributes this to sewage, livestock manure and fertiliser runoff. Iodine levels were found to be 44 mg/l, exceeding the permissible limit of 4 mg/l, likely due to industrial waste, medical waste and agricultural practices. Also, cadmium levels in surface water ranged from 0.05 to 0.09 mg/l, exceeding WHO’s permissible limit of 0.003 mg/l. The study states prolonged exposure to cadmium can cause kidney damage and bone disease.
Arsenic concentrations in surface water around Pirana ranged from 0.07 to 0.12 mg/l, while in groundwater levels ranged from 0.07 to 0.11 mg/l, both exceeding WHO’s acceptable limit of 0.05 mg/l. Prolonged ingestion of arsenic is linked to various cancers, skin lesions and cardiovascular diseases. The soil is also heavily contaminated, with cadmium levels ranging from 13.08 to 15.10 mg/kg, arsenic reaching 110.25 mg/kg, mercury levels ranging from 3.03 to 5.03 mg/kg and chromium concentrations between 135.50 and 155.75 mg/kg, all exceeding safe limits. These heavy metals can enter the food through contaminated crops and water.
Researchers from the National Forensic Science University recently undertook an environmental impact assessment of the site and found hazardous contaminants leaching into our air, water and soil, affecting the entire city. The results, published in the Springer-Nature’s Institution of Engineers (India) journal, reveal high levels of heavy metal contamination.
Beginning with air, the study by John D’Costa, Djibril Sekou Keita, and Harshad Patel of the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) and Vincent Braganza of the Xavier Research Foundation, Ahmedabad, reveals that particulate matter of size 10 microns and less, or PM10, levels were consistently above 200 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3), double the permissible limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO). This dipped only during monsoons. PM2.5, another harmful particulate matter, also exhibited worrying levels, exceeding the WHO limit of 60 µg/m3, particularly during winters and summers.
The team’s analysis of water samples from the site showed alarmingly high fluoride levels, reaching 9mg/l, far above WHO’s permissible limit of 1.5 mg/l. “This contamination is likely due to leachate from the landfill, industrial waste disposal, and agricultural practices,” states the study. Nitrate levels in surface water were also a major concern, reaching 170 mg/l, significantly higher than the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (US EPA) drinking water regulation of 10 mg/l. The study attributes this to sewage, livestock manure and fertiliser runoff. Iodine levels were found to be 44 mg/l, exceeding the permissible limit of 4 mg/l, likely due to industrial waste, medical waste and agricultural practices. Also, cadmium levels in surface water ranged from 0.05 to 0.09 mg/l, exceeding WHO’s permissible limit of 0.003 mg/l. The study states prolonged exposure to cadmium can cause kidney damage and bone disease.
Arsenic concentrations in surface water around Pirana ranged from 0.07 to 0.12 mg/l, while in groundwater levels ranged from 0.07 to 0.11 mg/l, both exceeding WHO’s acceptable limit of 0.05 mg/l. Prolonged ingestion of arsenic is linked to various cancers, skin lesions and cardiovascular diseases. The soil is also heavily contaminated, with cadmium levels ranging from 13.08 to 15.10 mg/kg, arsenic reaching 110.25 mg/kg, mercury levels ranging from 3.03 to 5.03 mg/kg and chromium concentrations between 135.50 and 155.75 mg/kg, all exceeding safe limits. These heavy metals can enter the food through contaminated crops and water.
