Hyderabad: Researchers of Environmental Toxicology division of Osmania University, in a recent study, have discovered high levels of heavy metals like cadmium, chromium, nickel, lead, iron, manganese and zinc in spinach, okra, mint, coriander and tomato grown on the outskirts of the city.
The contamination was found to be above the Maximum Residue Limits set by the World Health Organisation. The main reason behind this is said to be the usage of Musi river water, which is highly contaminated with industrial effluents and municipal sewage, for irrigation.
The researchers point out that toxic heavy metals may cause cardiovascular, kidney, nervous and bone diseases apart from triggering disorders like vomiting, diarrhea, stomachache, kidney problems, anemia, cancer of respiratory tract and ulcers. Heavy metals are are non-biodegradable and have high potential to accumulate in various body parts.
As per another research titled Extent of heavy metal contamination of leafy vegetables, soil and water from surrounding of Musi river, consumption of food contaminated by heavy metals can seriously deplete some essential nutrients in body, weakening the immune system and retarding intrauterine growth apart from causing impaired psycho-social behavior, malnutrition and upper gastrointestinal cancer. Leafy vegetables like spinach, thotakura and chukkakura were found to have the highest concentration of heavy metals.
