Toxic metals make Bloreans gasp

Toxic metals make Bloreans gasp
By S Lalitha, DH News Service, Bangalore:
The already gasping respiratory health of Bangaloreans is set to aggravate due to the presence of highly toxic metals in the dust prevalent in atmospheric air.


This was detected during the first such study of the elemental composition of dust, conducted by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board at four prime traffic intersections in the City. The study was done at 11th Cross, Malleswaram, Badami House (near Corporation Circle), Central Silk Board and City Railway Station, according to B Venkatesh, member-secretary, KSPCB.

The chemical composition of 42 elements were analysed. Among those found, the ones that could seriously endanger health are cobalt, cadmium, nickel, copper, zinc, gallium, bromine and lead.
The high metal content in the air may increase lung ailments in the City, which already has a high incidence of asthma.

The KSPCB has been able to carry out these unique tests due to two Fine Dust Sampler machines purchased at a cost of Rs 2.5 lakh each, six months ago. The increased vehicular population in the City is cited as the major reason for the presence of the pollutants. “The contact between tyres of vehicles on the road surface is responsible for the production of cadmium and nickel,” said Nagappa, Deputy Scientific Officer, KSPCB, who conducted the study.

Industries could be responsible for releasing the other pollutants. “Another interesting find is the presence of considerable quantity of lead in the atmosphere despite green diesel with low sulphur content being used in the City for the last three years,” he added.

So far, there is no permissible limit worked out for these heavy metals except for lead (1.5 micrograms/m3). The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), New Delhi is working on the standards to be fixed for other heavy metals and once that is ready, the exact danger level will be ascertained, Venkatesh said.

“However, the very existence of these toxic metals is cause for alarm,” the member-secretary added. The spot readings were done on February 22 and 23 but it took considerable time for the results to emerge as the scanning of the dust had to be done at the CPCB using an Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer.
Cacophonous City

Meanwhile, the noise levels in the City continue to be very high during day and night. Against the permissible level of 65 decibels, the City railway station recorded a maximum of 81.8 db, while the Central Silk Board recorded a maximum of 81 db.