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Indian Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol. 58, No. 12, December, 2004, pp. 528-530 Letter To Editor Is our drinking water a slow poison? Narayana K, Narayan Prashanthi, DSouza UrbanJA Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, PPSP University Science Malaysia 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan Code Number: ms04087 Sir, A recent study[1] published in Mutation Research has unraveled the purity and composition of water in Indian reservoirs. Most, if not all of the previous studies[2],[3] conducted in India have provided positive results, based on various in vivo and in vitro tests. There are several such studies that make us to admit the fact that we are consuming totally contaminated water [Table - 1]. Even though such phenomena are observed globally, we are less concerned about the purity of water we drink, possibly due to the dependency of large part of the human population and veterinary fauna on unclean river water. Such studies have also shown that diseases such as cancer are subtly increasing possibly due to the induced mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of water-borne agents, like the pesticides. Besides, some studies have shown that there are many varieties of chemicals in Ganges water, which are mainly pesticides and other industrial discharges. One such episode is the vehemently increasing frequency of cancers and birth defects among the villagers in a remote hamlet called Swarga (it is a Kannada word meaning- heaven!) in Kerala state of south India, possibly due to high levels of the pesticide- Endosulfan being sprayed for years to protect the cashew plantation. A few scientists believe that water reservoirs (rivulets) around the site might show very high levels of said pesticide (although not conclusively known), responsible for hazardous clinical conditions. With minor differences, other countries too present similar scenarios. These studies simply indicate that we are not safe in a world of increasing industrialization, lack of sanitary engineering and abysmal insipidity of law-enforcing authorities. Increasing teratogenesis, cancer-rate and other associated health problems (for example-infertility), therefore have correlation with the quality of drinking water. In this context, the study by Siddique and Ahmad[1] has come as another warning to the public as well as government. REFERENCES
Copyright 2004 - Indian Journal of Medical Sciences The following images related to this document are available:Photo images[ms04087t1.jpg] |
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