Clouds over Himalayas no longer pure, carry cancer-causing toxic metals: Study
The clouds hovering over the Himalayas, once considered to be carrying purest waters around, might be carrying dangerous heavy metals which can cause cancer, revealed a statement from the Ministry of Science & Technology of India.“The findings not only shatter the myth of “clean” mountain rain but also ring alarm bells for human health, with potential risks ranging from cancer to developmental disorders,” said the ministry.The revelation was based on the findings of Bose Institute, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), as it spotted “toxic metals in non-precipitating clouds during the onset of monsoon over the Western Ghats and Eastern Himalayas.”According to the statement, the Atmospheric research team, led by Dr Sanat Kumar Das, Associate Professor, Bose Institute quantified the risk of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic diseases through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal absorption. They conducted a detailed study using statistical models to identify the possible sources of these metals.“They also found that clouds over the Eastern Himalayas had 1.5 times higher pollution levels due to an increase in 40-60% higher loading of toxic metals like Cd, Cu, and Zn emitted from heavy traffic and industrial emissions that cause high health risk factors from carcinogenic diseases,” the statement read.It also said that children are at 30% higher risk from toxic metal than adults in India. The study showed that “health risk for the occurrence of carcinogenic diseases has increased due to inhalation of dissolved Cr (Chromium) present in clouds.”Other highly present toxic metals in the Himalayan clouds were Cd (Cadmium), Cr (Chromium), Cu (Copper), and Zn (Zinc), which come from “vehicular and industrial emissions over foothill regions”, the inhalation of which is the “potential cause of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic diseases in India,” said the ministry.It can happen through skin contact, inhalation, and consumption of precipitation-collected water in high-altitude regions.The study, published in ‘Environmental Advances’, opens up a new direction for research on atmospheric pollution and public health, according to the statement.However, it added, “the analysis shows that Indian clouds till now remain relatively less polluted, placing India in a safer health zone compared to countries like China, Pakistan, Italy, and the USA”.
The clouds hovering over the Himalayas, once considered to be carrying purest waters around, might be carrying dangerous heavy metals which can cause cancer, revealed a statement from the Ministry of Science & Technology of India.
“The findings not only shatter the myth of “clean” mountain rain but also ring alarm bells for human health, with potential risks ranging from cancer to developmental disorders,” said the ministry.
The revelation was based on the findings of Bose Institute, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), as it spotted “toxic metals in non-precipitating clouds during the onset of monsoon over the Western Ghats and Eastern Himalayas.”
According to the statement, the Atmospheric research team, led by Dr Sanat Kumar Das, Associate Professor, Bose Institute quantified the risk of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic diseases through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal absorption. They conducted a detailed study using statistical models to identify the possible sources of these metals.
“They also found that clouds over the Eastern Himalayas had 1.5 times higher pollution levels due to an increase in 40-60% higher loading of toxic metals like Cd, Cu, and Zn emitted from heavy traffic and industrial emissions that cause high health risk factors from carcinogenic diseases,” the statement read.
It also said that children are at 30% higher risk from toxic metal than adults in India.
The study showed that “health risk for the occurrence of carcinogenic diseases has increased due to inhalation of dissolved Cr (Chromium) present in clouds.”
Other highly present toxic metals in the Himalayan clouds were Cd (Cadmium), Cr (Chromium), Cu (Copper), and Zn (Zinc), which come from “vehicular and industrial emissions over foothill regions”, the inhalation of which is the “potential cause of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic diseases in India,” said the ministry.
It can happen through skin contact, inhalation, and consumption of precipitation-collected water in high-altitude regions.
The study, published in ‘Environmental Advances’, opens up a new direction for research on atmospheric pollution and public health, according to the statement.
However, it added, “the analysis shows that Indian clouds till now remain relatively less polluted, placing India in a safer health zone compared to countries like China, Pakistan, Italy, and the USA”.
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