CHANDIGARH: The Centre has finally taken cognizance of the severity of uranium contamination in Punjab's water and has acknowledged that it is the only state in the country which is reeling under this unique and dangerous problem.
The uranium content in the waters of Punjab has not only been increasing but spreading too. A recent study by Punjab health department has revealed that uranium content has been found to be 50% above the permissible WHO limit in eight districts of the state.
Earlier, only two districts -- Faridkot and Ferozepur -- had reported uranium in their water and the related health problems. Union minister for rural development and panchayats Jairam Ramesh admitted on Friday that Punjab was the only state in the country where uranium content in the water is higher than the permissible limit set by the WHO. While announcing a state-of-the-art lab with the assistance of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, to detect the presence of uranium and heavy metals in water, Ramesh said the water situation in Punjab was really bad.
"We need more scientific studies to understand the implications on health of people consuming this uranium contaminated water. We need to know the source of uranium's presence which is very unusual and inexplicable. As of now, we have only theories, we need to know the facts," said Ramesh.
Laying the foundation stone of the Rs 4 crore laboratory at Mohali, he said it would be operational in the next six to eight months.
Apart from detecting uranium pollution, Ramesh said that his focus is on supplying 'safe' water for all the households getting only contaminated supply now. As per state government's survey, out of total 2,462 water samples, 1,140 samples tested positive for the radioactive metal. Water contaminated with uranium was found in Malwa districts of the state, including Mansa, Bathinda, Moga, Faridkot, Barnala, Sangrur and some parts of Ludhiana as well.
Though there had not been any indepth study on uranium contaminated water in Punjab, he said one reason could be the presence of phosphatic fertilizers in the soil that trigger uranium content in affected areas.
The uranium content in the waters of Punjab has not only been increasing but spreading too. A recent study by Punjab health department has revealed that uranium content has been found to be 50% above the permissible WHO limit in eight districts of the state.
Earlier, only two districts -- Faridkot and Ferozepur -- had reported uranium in their water and the related health problems. Union minister for rural development and panchayats Jairam Ramesh admitted on Friday that Punjab was the only state in the country where uranium content in the water is higher than the permissible limit set by the WHO. While announcing a state-of-the-art lab with the assistance of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, to detect the presence of uranium and heavy metals in water, Ramesh said the water situation in Punjab was really bad.
"We need more scientific studies to understand the implications on health of people consuming this uranium contaminated water. We need to know the source of uranium's presence which is very unusual and inexplicable. As of now, we have only theories, we need to know the facts," said Ramesh.
Laying the foundation stone of the Rs 4 crore laboratory at Mohali, he said it would be operational in the next six to eight months.
Apart from detecting uranium pollution, Ramesh said that his focus is on supplying 'safe' water for all the households getting only contaminated supply now. As per state government's survey, out of total 2,462 water samples, 1,140 samples tested positive for the radioactive metal. Water contaminated with uranium was found in Malwa districts of the state, including Mansa, Bathinda, Moga, Faridkot, Barnala, Sangrur and some parts of Ludhiana as well.
Though there had not been any indepth study on uranium contaminated water in Punjab, he said one reason could be the presence of phosphatic fertilizers in the soil that trigger uranium content in affected areas.
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