KHETI VIRASAT PUNJAB
Working Group on Environmental Health
Public Hearing on
Environmental Health impacts of pesticides in Bathinda
Organised by:
In collaboration with
KHETI VIRASAT PUNJAB
GREEN PEACE INDIA
on 18th July 2004 at Circuit House, Bathinda
Background
From last five years Kheti Virasat is working for the propagation of sustainable agriculture, conservation of natural resources and sensitizing the masses and particularly the physicians about the challenges of environmental health in Punjab. During its study on health impacts of pesticides Kheti Virasat came across the fact that cancer is prevailing in entire cotton belt of Punjab. It is observed that the Bathinda district is prime victim of adverse impacts of pesticides. Incidentally, the villages which were taken-up for observation falls under two blocks of district- Rampura Phul and Talwandi Sabo blocks. It was also noticed that due to intensive cotton cropping the pesticide consumption in Talwandi Sabo block is much higher from other blocks. Then Kheti Virasat starts gathering other details and information about health status of few villages of Talwandi Sabo block. The very primary information collected, was an eye- opener and indicates the grave situation of environmental health. It was very strongly felt that there is urgent need to do a detail epidemiological study in this block. In the mean time Green Peace India approached Kheti Virasat for a collaborative study on the impacts of pesticides on children’s mental health and development as the part of its nation wide multi-centric study in six states. These states were Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnatka, Maharashtra, Tamilnadu and Punjab. Kheti Virasat team done extensive field work for study and analysis the effect of pesticides on the development of children during the cotton growing season of April to December, 2003. Three villages namely Mahi Nangal,Jajjal and Bangi Nihal Singh Wala with maximum use of pesticides in the Punjab were selected from Talwandi Sabo block of Bathinda district. Random sampling was done and a total of 150 children,75 each of age group 4-5 years and 9-13 years were selected. Similarly, four villages namely - Surewal, Gambhirpur, Dher and Midwan from Anandpur Sahib block of Ropar district with minimum use of pesticides in the state were selected as Reference or Control group.
Through various physical and psychological tests, memory tests and in mental ability test it was found that more than twice number of children were able to do these tests successfully in the control area as compared to study area viz. Talwandi Sabo block of Bathinda. Similarly for memory test only 28.2% children belonging to more exposed area fared successfully while this percentage raised to 52.2 for control area. Asthma, Skin Allergies, Stomach Infections, Cancers, Hypertension Problem, Kidney problem, Arthritis and Nerves Disorders were much more in exposed area. Cases of mentally retarded children, Genetically abnormalities and Childless Couples were shocking in number, while no such incident was met in control area.
Many women from this highly pesticide infested area had been referred to infertility treatment centers before they conceive. Incident of miscarriage was 8.45 % in study area and 4.3 % in control area, of stillbirth 3.1 % in study area and 1.8 % in control area neonatal deaths with % age of 6.2 in study area and 4.5 in control area with respect of total studied females.
The sprayers interviewed for their health status during spraying reason showed symptoms experienced as excessive sweating (85.6%), Nausea (78.3%), Blurred vision (75.5%), excessive salivation (57.3%), Under Muscarinic that is muscular cramps and Sleeplessness (60.6 %), Dizziness (58.9 %), Headaches (56.4%) etc. under Central Nervous System manifestations as the highest reported symptoms. 10 cases of hospitalization were reported from September and October of 2003 Cotton cultivation season here, 2 cases of death were also reported from the earlier years. Despite it the most common symptoms were nail dropping and discoloration in100 % of the sprayers.
The results of Punjab part of this study were first released at Amritsar on 17th March in a Seminar on Environmental Health Challenges to Punjab organised by Kheti Virasat under Sarbbat Vikas Uttsav. Then the detailed report of all six states was published by Green Peace India in April 2004 as ARRESTED DEVLOPMENT. A very small amount of pesticides gained in early childhood a effects the overall development of the child and gives rise to many defects leading to lose of memory and concentration.
In this study the area with in 80 km. of the cotton belt region of Punjab with Bathinda as center was taken in to consideration. It was analyses that the farmers who inhaled large quantities of pesticides during their usage were facing many health problems. It was noticed by researchers that amnesia, cancer, miscarriages, still births, infertility were some serious defects suffered by the people in the studied area. The over-all picture emerged from the study is very much disappointing and terrible. It seems that Punjab is sitting on time bomb of environmental health ,so a series of steps should be taken-up immediately to build -up a strong civic movement to take up the issue of environmental health.
Taking in to consideration the grievances faced by the people and the sufferings of the ailing villagers and to take -up this issue at larger forum Kheti Virasat and Green Peace India has jointly organized a Public-Hearing on ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH IMPACTS OF PESTICIDES on 18 July 2004 at Bathinda .
The Public Hearing
People from the worst effected villages of TALWANDI SABO and RAMPURA PHUL block has participated in the Public-Hearing and submitted their submission and narrated their state of suffering and illness before the bench. These villages were - JAJJAL,MAHI NAGAL,BANGI NIHAL SINGH WALA, GAYANA, RAMANWAS, NANDGARH, HARKISHAN PURA and MANDI KHURD. Apart from these villages two farmers growing organic cotton in villages of MEHTA and RAI KE KALAN were also invited to tell their experiences in organic farming.
The Panel
The Panel constituted for Public Hearing consisting Eminent lawyer of environmental issues Shri Sanjay Parikh ,Advocate Supreme court of India, New Delhi ;Shri Davinder Sharma Agriculture expert and Trade policy analyst, New Delhi; Dr.G.P.I Singh, HoD, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dayanand Medical Collage &Hospital, Ludhiana and Dr.Ashiesh Tayal, Scientific Advisor Green Peace India.
The Participants & Experts
Several eminent personalities belonging to different spheres of life including farmers, farmers leaders, teachers, government officials, scientists, agriculture experts, physicians, journalists and researchers participated in this public hearing. Apart from this several other dignitaries were also present there ,this includes Dr.G.S.Deol, HoD, Department of Entomology, PAU, Ludhiana, Dr.Ashok Dhawan, Dr.A.S.Sohi, Dr.K.S.Brar (All from PAU);Dr.Charanjit Singh ,Environmental Scientist, Punjab Pollution Control Board, Patiala ; Dr. Mahesh Singla , Field Investigator ,Censer study project,P.G.I Chandigarh,Dr.Manoj Kumar, Dr.Anil Gautam, Sh.Rajesh Paul(All from PGI Chandigarh) , Dr.Rakesh Sehgal, President, an NGO CARD, young Punjabi poets Anil Prabhaker and Rajiv Chopra, Miss Thangma Munappa, Jai Krishna from Green Peace India and Dr. Savtantar Singh HoD, Computer Department ,Regional Center-Punjabi University ,Bathinda. Several students and researchers studying subjects of environment and Human biology also participated.
Sarpanchs, panchs and prominent persons from eight worst effected villages also participated in the Public Hearing.
The Panel gives the following recommendations:
1. A thorough medical study of all affected areas in the cotton belt is urgently required. The facts presented before the commission are strongly indicative that the children and adults have suffered because of the excessive use of pesticides. The medical treatment of those who are already suffering and medical check up regularly of those who were likely to be affected is immediately required. A special medical center to manage affected cases as well as carry out follow up and research should be set up immediately in the Bthinda district. Though this has happened because of unethical dumping of a cocktail of pesticides, even the banned ones by the companies, the primary responsibility of the state being to protect the life and health of the people, the state should carry out all the obligations towards the medical care and recover from companies the damage caused to the peoples’ health and environment on the basis of the “polluter pays principle”.
2. the excessive use of pesicides has affected the ground water as well as other drinking water resources. There is urgent need to supply pure drinking water in the affected areas. The state should either make provisions of supply through tankers or by drawing water from the nearby places through pipelines. The panel has been informed that by scientific process of the reverse osmosis the contaminants of groundwater can be removed and the water can be used for drinking purposes. If this is technically feasible, after the proper study within three months, this project should be started.
3. official data indicates that pesticides consumption of cotton is 545 of the total pesticide consumption in the country. It was also brought out that availability and use of spurious pesticides is also contributing to the excessive use of pesticides as this leads to non effective sprays from the farmer’s point of view. It also is known to lead to progressive resistance in the concerned pests. This consumption should have gone down even it the government could have followed the policy of integrated pest management (IPM). The same has not been done effectively so far. Adequate number of government agencies do not exist to educate the farmers and to introduce the rational use of pesticides and those which exist are either non effective or defunct. In the absence of any control by the government, the pesticide companies and traders continue with their false claims and propaganda about use of their brands for getting better yield. They also sell adulterated and even banned pesticides. They misguide the farmers in prompting them to use the cocktail of pesicides for better protection of their crops. All this requires an urgent attention of the government and total control of the situation, which if not taken care of now will result in permanent damage to the land in the cotton belt and the human health including the health of future generations.
The panel is therefore making the following suggestions for implementation,
a) The whole cotton belt should be declared as a toxic hotspot requiring special treatment. To begin with the state government should set up government agencies in this area to educate farmers about good agricultural practices and the minimum use of pesticides and the methodology to use it with least harm to human beings and the environment. The pesticides which are to be banned and which ought to be used, keeping in view the present condition should not be allowed to be sold to farmers of the cotton belt. If any company is found to be selling or inducing the farmers to buy such brands, they should be penalized. The commission has been informed that the ministry of agriculture is introducing strict punishment for the offenders who are found selling banned/restricted pesticides by amending the insecticides act 1968. The ministry of agriculture is requested to bring this amendment into force at the earliest in the public interest. Punishment should be imposed not for selling banned/restricted pesticides but also spurious pesticides. In addition to that the state government should introduce stringent law, prescribing minimum provision for imprisonment, particularly in the cotton belt where the companies and the people are found violating it. These companies should also be made liable for any damage done to the environment and human health on the basis of the “polluter pays principle”.
b) Information about the banned or restricted use pesticides of pesticide formulations, along with the authentic rate list should be punished from time to time by the government in the local vernacular language. It should be mandatorily displayed in shops and pesticides retail outlets, Panchayat offices and other prominent places.
c) Simultaneously the state government, with the help of NGOs like Kheti Virasat and others should introduce the practice of organic farming. This can be started from a small segment of the cotton belt and gradually spread to other areas. The farmers have to be shown that that the false notion attached to the use of pesticides has to be discarded and the organic way of farming which is the only way of sustainable agriculture has to be adopted.
d) The commission has been informed that the package of practices released annually by Punjab agriculture university, is followed by the state agriculre department as well as the progressive farmers. The commission requests the university to come out with a special package of practices for the cotton belt that lays stress on sustainable and low input cotton production aimed at gradually minimizing use of pesticides and switching over to organic cultivation. Th university should also suggest the quality of seed to be used by the farmers in the cotton belt, so that sub-standard seeds and their use resulting in more of pesticides could be avoided. Those who sell sub standard seeds should be prosecuted through sustainable amendments in law.
e) The commission also recommends the special package of compensation of three years to the farmers of the cotton belt which assures them against any financial loss should be provided during the process of switching over from the use of pesticides to organic farming.
f) For remediation and removal of the adverse effects of pesticides in the cotton belt, the government should constitute an expert body to do an in depth study and come out with a plan for implementation for decontaminating the area within the time frame. The commission requests the state government to constitute this expert body urgently.
g) A special health insurance scheme for the farmers and farm workers should be introduced in the cotton belt area.
4. The commission is of the firm view that the extremely hazardous class la pesticides should be immediately banned and class 1b be gradually phased out in a realistic time frame (list enclosed).
The situation is alarming and if urgent action is not taken now it would become irreversible from both angles i.e environment as well as human health.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Land Of Dark Zones
Punjab: Turning into land of dark zones -
Need of people’s movement for water conservation
By
KHETI VIRASAT
Punjab- the name itself is explanatory and stands for abundance of water. It is the land of water heritage of Guru Nanak Dev and Bhai Kanhiya. The people of Punjab are ardent follower of great piau tradition of “Bhai Kanhiya” i.e. Serving water to humanity without any discrimination of caste, creed, religion, & sect. It has the glorious tradition of preserving water rights form the era of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The incidence of Panja Sahib is a witness to it. The Panja Sahib symbolise that, the water is for all and the water is fundamental, natural and basic right of every living creature on the Earth. But, it is really ironic that the land, which is named after the five rivers “Punjab”, is endangered to become the land without water that is-“Be-Aab”.
Moreover the present situation of water resources in Punjab is highly critical. Already by losing her three rivers due to partition of India; the present Punjab is now the land of mainly two rivers only i.e. Satluj and Beas. As some reports indicate that water flow is alarmingly going down in both of these rivers is also an issue of great worry. The Himalayan glaciers are melting down; the overall water flow is decreasing causing great ecological-imbalance in the region. Due to loss of massive forest cover in Shivaliks resulting in drying up of several sub-rivers, natural streams and revaluates making the foothills of Punjab a water scared area. As a result the ground water availability in Punjab is drastically hampered. At present Jayanti, Budki, Siswan the three major tributaries of river Satluj flowing through the District Ropar have been vanished. They are no more revaluates now. It is fate of ‘Patiala ki Roh’ and several other streams originating from Shivaliks. Where as famous ‘Kali Bein River’ has lost her character as a river. The “Kali Bein” originates from two Bawries adjoining “Tarkiana-Naryanpur” wetlands, and has religious, spiritual and social significance for the people of Punjab, as Guru Nanak Dev took a holy dip in the river “Kali Bein” at Sultanpur Lodhi. But we turned it into an open sewerage only. Thanks to Sant Balbir Singh of Sinchewal who took a Kar-sewa to revive this holy river. But several other rivers- revaluates are not so lucky as they are bound to remain dirty .The Buddha Nallah another major tributary of river Sutluj is most contaminated stream at Ludhiana, containing heavy amount of deadly pollutants. We can count several streams in this class namely – Chitti Bein, Charan Ganga and others. The rivers -Tangri and Ghaghar which were once caters the entire area through out the year now can be seen as dead rivers full with heaps of sand in other seasons then monsoon, when it play havoc in the area creating floods and devastation.
Another alarming situation one can easily observe in Punjab, is destruction of wetlands, natural reservoirs and ponds. Wetlands plays major role in recharging ground water and sustaining required moisture in soil and surface. But Punjab is about to lose her wetlands not only due to wrong planning but also due to criminal negligence and greedy deeds of mankind. Punjab had already lost its several wetlands. The great Bhupindra Sagar Lake in Sangrur district, which was once known as favorite hunting spot of Maharaja Bhupindra Singh of Patiala, is no more now. The mighty Bhupindra Sagar was once spread over the area of 1280 Hectares. The list of disappeared wetlands is an indication of devastation, which is knocking the door of Punjab. Few of districted wetlands are Chhangli Chhamb – 1000 Ha, Chhangli Tabo-140 Ha, Chhamb gurditwala Ferozpur-100 Ha, sangeri Mansa-41 Ha, Sharmkot Gurdaspur-12 Ha, Gaunspur chhamb Hoshiarpur-100 Ha, Jandwal Chhamb Hoshiarpur-100 Ha, Rahon De Chhamb Jallandhar 300 Ha. The one of major wetlands in Punjab “Tarkiana” wetland near Dasuha, is no more on ground, remains only on papers. Other wetlands as Jasterwal, Khanuwan, Lobana (near Nabha), Mand Bharthala, Rababsar and Bareta are the worst victims of man-made disaster and ignorance. The Lobana wetland is almost dead though government considers it a wetland on papers; wetland is loosing its area to encroachments. This is the common fate of all natural wetlands of Punjab. But, man-made wetlands are also facing almost similar threats. The wetland eco-system along with river eco-sphere in Punjab is passing through very critical stage and this entire scenario
Apart from this the several major reservoirs such as Sitasar (Sunam), Ajj Sarovar (Kharar), Mullanpur GaribDass, Gharian, Pandusar (Dasuha), RajeTal, Bopa Rai Kalan, Kahangarh, Chamunda Devi, Thand Kasel, Attariwala, Batala, Gurdaspur, Bhagna, Fethgarh Churrien, Chmiari, Preet Nagar, Ramsar, Lakshmansar (Amritsar) are in condition of distress. Several among these has marvellous architectural design with splendour beauty, but now only ruins remains. Most of these ponds are situated in Amritsar district. One can see the tradition of constructing ponds in Punjab through the windows of Ghats of these majestic monuments. The former princely city of Sangrur once had four major reservoirs on all four corners of town, but the man made foolish decisions killed all four tanks, and this is too declared as the so called modern development. The princely town of Nabha was also lost its famous HattiKhanna Talab along with several other ponds in town and in adjacent villages. The ruins of traditional ponds system of Punjab can be found in the districts of Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur and Ropar. The remains of puckka ghats with beautiful construction are the evidence of the rich native tradition of Ponds, their architect and design in Punjab. But this great glory of conserving water is the thing of forgotten past. Today nobody is aware about it and no body wants to care about it. It is sad and unfortunate its own people put this great pond system on death in Punjab.
Only four decades back one easily can find three to five and even more ponds in every village of Punjab. But courtesy to the modernized development the majority of them are died, disappeared, encroached and turned into farms, Government offices, Shopping complexes and Kothis.
The sad story is not at an end here. The remaining village ponds are also dying day by day. The encroachments and dumping of garbage are the major threats to these water bodies. The Man is destroying water- the very base of life and nature. This is a crime and sin against GOD and Mother Nature & also a crime towards their own future generations. The Nature is now giving death-bell to us as more then 80% of Punjab is either turned into Dark Zone or Grey Zone. Turning of Punjab into the land of dark zones is very serious issue. Out of seventeen districts of Punjab the ground water balance in seven districts is in negative. That means these districts are exploring more water then annual net recharge, thus causing deficit water budget. The Jalandhar district is one of the worst effected zones in the state. The entire Jalandhar district is under dark zone category its all ten blocks are dark zone. It is the fate of Kapurthala, where all five blocks are dark, and then Moga all four blocks are dark, Sangrur all thirteen are dark zone, Fatehgarh Sahib all five are dark zone. Then Amritsar district, which has sixteen development blocks out which fourteen are dark zones and other two are gray. The Patiala and Ludhiana districts are also all most dark zones .In Patiala Eight out of nine and in Ludhiana Ten out of eleven blocks are dark zones.
Moreover the ground water table in the past twenty years recorded a dangerous decline from 15-20 feet to 150-200 feet in some parts. The ruthless overexploitation of this precious resource had led us to this situation. Is it the gift of green revolution? In 1967 Punjab had around 55,000 tube wells only where as today this figure crosses ten Lac. This sounds the speed with which we are ruining our indispensable natural resource. The exploration of ground water has increased by 200 times in last three decades. Where as recharging ratio has been drastically decreased creating an irreversible gape.
This is only half dark side of the fact. The white zone area of Bathinda, Mansa, Mukatsar, Faridkot and some parts of Ferozpur has problem of salinity and Chloride. Where as Nawanshahar and Hoshiarpur districts has problem of selenium contamination. Several other areas are affected with surfacing of Nitrates in ground water. The nickel and chromium is all ready reported in Ludhiana and Mandi Gobindgarh.
So, Punjab is heading two ways. Either there will be NO WATER or there will be CONTAMINATED and POISONOUS water and both ways lead towards turning Punjab into Be-Aab.
Therefore there is urgent need to build a strong peoples movement for water conservation. It is the day that we should realize the gravity of situation today only, otherwise tomorrow will be too late.
To evolve a sustainable path to bring Punjab out of worst crisis it is facing.
Need of people’s movement for water conservation
By
KHETI VIRASAT
Punjab- the name itself is explanatory and stands for abundance of water. It is the land of water heritage of Guru Nanak Dev and Bhai Kanhiya. The people of Punjab are ardent follower of great piau tradition of “Bhai Kanhiya” i.e. Serving water to humanity without any discrimination of caste, creed, religion, & sect. It has the glorious tradition of preserving water rights form the era of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The incidence of Panja Sahib is a witness to it. The Panja Sahib symbolise that, the water is for all and the water is fundamental, natural and basic right of every living creature on the Earth. But, it is really ironic that the land, which is named after the five rivers “Punjab”, is endangered to become the land without water that is-“Be-Aab”.
Moreover the present situation of water resources in Punjab is highly critical. Already by losing her three rivers due to partition of India; the present Punjab is now the land of mainly two rivers only i.e. Satluj and Beas. As some reports indicate that water flow is alarmingly going down in both of these rivers is also an issue of great worry. The Himalayan glaciers are melting down; the overall water flow is decreasing causing great ecological-imbalance in the region. Due to loss of massive forest cover in Shivaliks resulting in drying up of several sub-rivers, natural streams and revaluates making the foothills of Punjab a water scared area. As a result the ground water availability in Punjab is drastically hampered. At present Jayanti, Budki, Siswan the three major tributaries of river Satluj flowing through the District Ropar have been vanished. They are no more revaluates now. It is fate of ‘Patiala ki Roh’ and several other streams originating from Shivaliks. Where as famous ‘Kali Bein River’ has lost her character as a river. The “Kali Bein” originates from two Bawries adjoining “Tarkiana-Naryanpur” wetlands, and has religious, spiritual and social significance for the people of Punjab, as Guru Nanak Dev took a holy dip in the river “Kali Bein” at Sultanpur Lodhi. But we turned it into an open sewerage only. Thanks to Sant Balbir Singh of Sinchewal who took a Kar-sewa to revive this holy river. But several other rivers- revaluates are not so lucky as they are bound to remain dirty .The Buddha Nallah another major tributary of river Sutluj is most contaminated stream at Ludhiana, containing heavy amount of deadly pollutants. We can count several streams in this class namely – Chitti Bein, Charan Ganga and others. The rivers -Tangri and Ghaghar which were once caters the entire area through out the year now can be seen as dead rivers full with heaps of sand in other seasons then monsoon, when it play havoc in the area creating floods and devastation.
Another alarming situation one can easily observe in Punjab, is destruction of wetlands, natural reservoirs and ponds. Wetlands plays major role in recharging ground water and sustaining required moisture in soil and surface. But Punjab is about to lose her wetlands not only due to wrong planning but also due to criminal negligence and greedy deeds of mankind. Punjab had already lost its several wetlands. The great Bhupindra Sagar Lake in Sangrur district, which was once known as favorite hunting spot of Maharaja Bhupindra Singh of Patiala, is no more now. The mighty Bhupindra Sagar was once spread over the area of 1280 Hectares. The list of disappeared wetlands is an indication of devastation, which is knocking the door of Punjab. Few of districted wetlands are Chhangli Chhamb – 1000 Ha, Chhangli Tabo-140 Ha, Chhamb gurditwala Ferozpur-100 Ha, sangeri Mansa-41 Ha, Sharmkot Gurdaspur-12 Ha, Gaunspur chhamb Hoshiarpur-100 Ha, Jandwal Chhamb Hoshiarpur-100 Ha, Rahon De Chhamb Jallandhar 300 Ha. The one of major wetlands in Punjab “Tarkiana” wetland near Dasuha, is no more on ground, remains only on papers. Other wetlands as Jasterwal, Khanuwan, Lobana (near Nabha), Mand Bharthala, Rababsar and Bareta are the worst victims of man-made disaster and ignorance. The Lobana wetland is almost dead though government considers it a wetland on papers; wetland is loosing its area to encroachments. This is the common fate of all natural wetlands of Punjab. But, man-made wetlands are also facing almost similar threats. The wetland eco-system along with river eco-sphere in Punjab is passing through very critical stage and this entire scenario
Apart from this the several major reservoirs such as Sitasar (Sunam), Ajj Sarovar (Kharar), Mullanpur GaribDass, Gharian, Pandusar (Dasuha), RajeTal, Bopa Rai Kalan, Kahangarh, Chamunda Devi, Thand Kasel, Attariwala, Batala, Gurdaspur, Bhagna, Fethgarh Churrien, Chmiari, Preet Nagar, Ramsar, Lakshmansar (Amritsar) are in condition of distress. Several among these has marvellous architectural design with splendour beauty, but now only ruins remains. Most of these ponds are situated in Amritsar district. One can see the tradition of constructing ponds in Punjab through the windows of Ghats of these majestic monuments. The former princely city of Sangrur once had four major reservoirs on all four corners of town, but the man made foolish decisions killed all four tanks, and this is too declared as the so called modern development. The princely town of Nabha was also lost its famous HattiKhanna Talab along with several other ponds in town and in adjacent villages. The ruins of traditional ponds system of Punjab can be found in the districts of Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur and Ropar. The remains of puckka ghats with beautiful construction are the evidence of the rich native tradition of Ponds, their architect and design in Punjab. But this great glory of conserving water is the thing of forgotten past. Today nobody is aware about it and no body wants to care about it. It is sad and unfortunate its own people put this great pond system on death in Punjab.
Only four decades back one easily can find three to five and even more ponds in every village of Punjab. But courtesy to the modernized development the majority of them are died, disappeared, encroached and turned into farms, Government offices, Shopping complexes and Kothis.
The sad story is not at an end here. The remaining village ponds are also dying day by day. The encroachments and dumping of garbage are the major threats to these water bodies. The Man is destroying water- the very base of life and nature. This is a crime and sin against GOD and Mother Nature & also a crime towards their own future generations. The Nature is now giving death-bell to us as more then 80% of Punjab is either turned into Dark Zone or Grey Zone. Turning of Punjab into the land of dark zones is very serious issue. Out of seventeen districts of Punjab the ground water balance in seven districts is in negative. That means these districts are exploring more water then annual net recharge, thus causing deficit water budget. The Jalandhar district is one of the worst effected zones in the state. The entire Jalandhar district is under dark zone category its all ten blocks are dark zone. It is the fate of Kapurthala, where all five blocks are dark, and then Moga all four blocks are dark, Sangrur all thirteen are dark zone, Fatehgarh Sahib all five are dark zone. Then Amritsar district, which has sixteen development blocks out which fourteen are dark zones and other two are gray. The Patiala and Ludhiana districts are also all most dark zones .In Patiala Eight out of nine and in Ludhiana Ten out of eleven blocks are dark zones.
Moreover the ground water table in the past twenty years recorded a dangerous decline from 15-20 feet to 150-200 feet in some parts. The ruthless overexploitation of this precious resource had led us to this situation. Is it the gift of green revolution? In 1967 Punjab had around 55,000 tube wells only where as today this figure crosses ten Lac. This sounds the speed with which we are ruining our indispensable natural resource. The exploration of ground water has increased by 200 times in last three decades. Where as recharging ratio has been drastically decreased creating an irreversible gape.
This is only half dark side of the fact. The white zone area of Bathinda, Mansa, Mukatsar, Faridkot and some parts of Ferozpur has problem of salinity and Chloride. Where as Nawanshahar and Hoshiarpur districts has problem of selenium contamination. Several other areas are affected with surfacing of Nitrates in ground water. The nickel and chromium is all ready reported in Ludhiana and Mandi Gobindgarh.
So, Punjab is heading two ways. Either there will be NO WATER or there will be CONTAMINATED and POISONOUS water and both ways lead towards turning Punjab into Be-Aab.
Therefore there is urgent need to build a strong peoples movement for water conservation. It is the day that we should realize the gravity of situation today only, otherwise tomorrow will be too late.
To evolve a sustainable path to bring Punjab out of worst crisis it is facing.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Pesticides In Your Kitchen
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH IMPACTS OF PESTISIDES IN VEGETABLE BELT
A STUDY CONDUCTED BY KHETI VIRASAT
IN MALERKOTLA AREA OF PUNJAB
PUNJAB: Pesticides taking away the prosperity and Health
Malerkotla –The formally princely town in district Sangrur of Punjab, with approximately population of 1 lack predominately industrial city known for its craftsmanship and artisans. In agriculture field it is also famous for its vegetable production. Malerkotla is a hub for about villages for agriculture production and vegetable production and these vegetables are mainly supplied to Manchester of Punjab i.e. Ludhiana.
From last few years the eating habits of urban class are changing fast and ‘off season’ vegetables are becoming popular day by day. These off-season vegetables are more prone to pest attack. There is famous saying in the area that cauliflower produced in the months of September to December may called as ‘Malathion-flower’ as it contains very high amount of deadliest pesticide Malathion along with Spark, Padan, acelex, ostathion, Malathion, methomly $0%sp, Choloropyriphos 50% + cypermethrin 5%, profenofos 50% Ec, curacron, coroban, monocil, pruacron+ ostathion, neurocombi, classic 20, novoluron 10%ec (rimon), avent, indozacarb 14.5 5 sc(fego), cypermethrin + hostathion, propargite 575 wettasui powder, EDNOSULPHAN. The use of pesticide -cocktail is the common phenomina in cotton belt but here in vegetable area the Kheti Virasat team came across the horrifying truth that vegetable growers are mixing three to four pesticides at a time to make super cocktail even they use to mix powdered pesticides. No agriculture extension worker or official is taking note of this. The vegetable grower farmers though knows very well that making this super cocktail is dangerous trend but due to heavy pest attack and pests becoming resistant to normal pesticides farmers are making their own ‘killer-pesticides’.
All these pesticides are belonging to different classes. And farmers are spraying these pesticides almost each second or third day but one thing is clear that every lot of vegetables grown in this area is sprayed one or another pesticides everyday.
As Kheti Virasat is working on issue on environmental heath in Punjab and taken up several studies regarding health impacts of pesticides in the continuation of these studies Kheti Virasat has taken up a brief study among the vegetable growth of Malerkotla area. This study was designed to check hazardous effect on health of great number of workers engaged to exposure of pesticides, this study has been conducted mainly focused on the exposure and health risks to farmers and pesticides applicators. During the study it was found that the most common symptoms were headache, skin irritation, stomach pain, vomiting, eye irritation, blurred vision and pesticide poisoning. These workers are unaware that these non-specific symptoms may indicate exposure to hazardous chemicals and they are at risk of developing more persistent effects. A significant minority of suffers experienced symptoms associated with insult to the nervous system- fatigue, difficulty in concentration, allergies and various problems of respiratory system. While having a look into their living standard, low economic was found with annual income only reaching to 10,000 to 20,000 Rs. So instead of rising the living standard pesticides only raised there expenditures. Hygienic conditions are also poor among hired workers. Tobacco addiction habit is very familiar in these workers that may be linked to low income, depression and tension. Females are too engaged in agriculture works. They show a large number of problems .A large number of genetic defects has been found in these peoples. Incidence of cancers of various types was high in these workers surprisingly. They tend to experience an increase in human reproductive diseases like infertility due to various reasons. Dichlorovos and Malathion are commonly used so visual impairments, breathing difficulty (asthma and allergies of upper respiratory tract) and weakness is very common. Lack of protective equipments was found among all workers, which may exacerbate hazards by prolonging the time during which pesticides are in contact with the skin. So dermatological exposure and inhalation while breathing is found to be quite common.
In the light of above informations pesticides can be explored as potential toxicant. Chronic effects thought to involve pesticides include carcinogens, neurotoxicity, reproductive and developmental effects.
As these farmers work on the fields throughout the year, thus, the population has rather uniform exposure conditions. So pesticides problem is a great threat to environment and ecology and is thus paying with health of communities. So owing to raise in the environmental hazards human health research programme should be raised and along with this they should be made aware about various harmful effects. Alternatives to pesticides should be the main concern of the time to save the humanity.
Kheti Virasat team experienced a very amazing fact during its visit to six villages.
VILLAGES POPULATION
Dalelgarh, 1500
Dugni, 2000
Ballamgarh, 2000
Binzo ke Kalan, 1200
Binzo ke khurd 2000
Basti Jamalpura(a part of Malerkota town)
These villages are adjoining to Malerkotla town of Sangrur district when noticed exceptionally high number of mental retired cased in these villages. All these villages are near Malerkotla. A number of vegetable grower families are living here. These families mostly grow cauliflower, brinjal, chilli, spinach, radish, tammato, lady-finger, gourd, cabbage, squash gourd and pumpkin etc. Most of them are from Muslim community. They are mostly landless and take lands for growing vegetables on annual contracts.
As interviewed most of there farmers own very little land and cultivate over hired lands. Maximum spraying is done on there vegetables, which consume a lot of money over pesticides. Due to these pesticides very common symptoms like headache, nausea, anxiety, high blood pressure, allergies of skin and upper respirary tract are much prevalent among them. Here 8 patients of down syndrome were found in Dalelgarh. Among this population there are so many cases of mental retire ness. Down syndrome cases were also found among this population. Two death cases with cancer were also noticed Dalelgarh.
In village Dugni the ill effects of pesticides were also seen over there. Here 12 children were found metal retired. 3 children from one family were found mental retired. In this village 3 couple were found childless. All these adverse effects are because of pesticides. In this village most of families are vegetable growers. These families also use pesticides in their fields. Even women also work in the fields during the time of plucking and removing weeds. So some effect on them is also expected.
Adverse effects of pesticides were also seen in Ballamgarh village. People living in this village are also related with vegetable growers. In this village Asthma was found in 10 children due to pesticides. 10 persons has permanent allergy from pesticides.
The Basti Jamalpur one of the area of Malerkotla town engaged in vegetable cultivation over maximum area. Though people of all communities reside over there mainly Muslim community is growing vegetables. As interviewed most of these farmers own very little land and cultivate over hired lands. Maximum spraying is done over these vegetables (after each second or third day) which consumes lot of money over pesticides. Annual income is of much lower graph and almost all belong to low socio-economic status. All these workers are unaware of use of protective measures to be used while spraying and thus a rise in the dermal exposure is their very common symptoms like headache, nausea, anxiety, high blood pressure, allergies of skin and upper respirary tract are much prevalent among them. Besides this some cases of infertility and 8 patient of down syndrome were observed. This high incidence may be due to inbreeding (Marriage with in the group or cousin marriage) prevalent in this community. Their main ancestral occupation is to grow vegetables and from last 40-50 years they are doing the same. Females too work in the fields during the time of plucking and removing weeds. So some effect on them is also expected.
AWARENESS LEVEL:
People living in above villages don’t use precautionary measures while using pesticides. They have never educated about precautions. They have no interaction with departments of agriculture so that they can educate about the harmfulness of pesticides. The use of pesticides is very high. Same the adverse effects has been seen due to use of pesticides. So people should educated about the proper use of pesticides. In these kind of areas NPM (No Pest Management) and bio pest control should be propagated with the support of voluntary agencies and organic farmers.
Thus Kheti Virasat proposes to promote cultivation of organic vegetables in the area and for this the awareness among the farmers is needed urgently. Kheti Virasat also feels that a detailed survey should be taken in area to know that actual status of pesticides consumption, its quantity, patterns, so called cocktail usage and its ecological and health impacts.
Kheti Virasat is also planning to undertake a series of tests including soil, water, vegetables, fodder, milk, other crops along with scientific and clinical tests in the area with the collaboration and support of People’s Science Institute (PSI), Dehrudun.
THE TEAM:
Surinder Singh (Joint Director: Kheti Virasat) and Raminderjit Kaur (Voluntary researcher)
A STUDY CONDUCTED BY KHETI VIRASAT
IN MALERKOTLA AREA OF PUNJAB
PUNJAB: Pesticides taking away the prosperity and Health
Malerkotla –The formally princely town in district Sangrur of Punjab, with approximately population of 1 lack predominately industrial city known for its craftsmanship and artisans. In agriculture field it is also famous for its vegetable production. Malerkotla is a hub for about villages for agriculture production and vegetable production and these vegetables are mainly supplied to Manchester of Punjab i.e. Ludhiana.
From last few years the eating habits of urban class are changing fast and ‘off season’ vegetables are becoming popular day by day. These off-season vegetables are more prone to pest attack. There is famous saying in the area that cauliflower produced in the months of September to December may called as ‘Malathion-flower’ as it contains very high amount of deadliest pesticide Malathion along with Spark, Padan, acelex, ostathion, Malathion, methomly $0%sp, Choloropyriphos 50% + cypermethrin 5%, profenofos 50% Ec, curacron, coroban, monocil, pruacron+ ostathion, neurocombi, classic 20, novoluron 10%ec (rimon), avent, indozacarb 14.5 5 sc(fego), cypermethrin + hostathion, propargite 575 wettasui powder, EDNOSULPHAN. The use of pesticide -cocktail is the common phenomina in cotton belt but here in vegetable area the Kheti Virasat team came across the horrifying truth that vegetable growers are mixing three to four pesticides at a time to make super cocktail even they use to mix powdered pesticides. No agriculture extension worker or official is taking note of this. The vegetable grower farmers though knows very well that making this super cocktail is dangerous trend but due to heavy pest attack and pests becoming resistant to normal pesticides farmers are making their own ‘killer-pesticides’.
All these pesticides are belonging to different classes. And farmers are spraying these pesticides almost each second or third day but one thing is clear that every lot of vegetables grown in this area is sprayed one or another pesticides everyday.
As Kheti Virasat is working on issue on environmental heath in Punjab and taken up several studies regarding health impacts of pesticides in the continuation of these studies Kheti Virasat has taken up a brief study among the vegetable growth of Malerkotla area. This study was designed to check hazardous effect on health of great number of workers engaged to exposure of pesticides, this study has been conducted mainly focused on the exposure and health risks to farmers and pesticides applicators. During the study it was found that the most common symptoms were headache, skin irritation, stomach pain, vomiting, eye irritation, blurred vision and pesticide poisoning. These workers are unaware that these non-specific symptoms may indicate exposure to hazardous chemicals and they are at risk of developing more persistent effects. A significant minority of suffers experienced symptoms associated with insult to the nervous system- fatigue, difficulty in concentration, allergies and various problems of respiratory system. While having a look into their living standard, low economic was found with annual income only reaching to 10,000 to 20,000 Rs. So instead of rising the living standard pesticides only raised there expenditures. Hygienic conditions are also poor among hired workers. Tobacco addiction habit is very familiar in these workers that may be linked to low income, depression and tension. Females are too engaged in agriculture works. They show a large number of problems .A large number of genetic defects has been found in these peoples. Incidence of cancers of various types was high in these workers surprisingly. They tend to experience an increase in human reproductive diseases like infertility due to various reasons. Dichlorovos and Malathion are commonly used so visual impairments, breathing difficulty (asthma and allergies of upper respiratory tract) and weakness is very common. Lack of protective equipments was found among all workers, which may exacerbate hazards by prolonging the time during which pesticides are in contact with the skin. So dermatological exposure and inhalation while breathing is found to be quite common.
In the light of above informations pesticides can be explored as potential toxicant. Chronic effects thought to involve pesticides include carcinogens, neurotoxicity, reproductive and developmental effects.
As these farmers work on the fields throughout the year, thus, the population has rather uniform exposure conditions. So pesticides problem is a great threat to environment and ecology and is thus paying with health of communities. So owing to raise in the environmental hazards human health research programme should be raised and along with this they should be made aware about various harmful effects. Alternatives to pesticides should be the main concern of the time to save the humanity.
Kheti Virasat team experienced a very amazing fact during its visit to six villages.
VILLAGES POPULATION
Dalelgarh, 1500
Dugni, 2000
Ballamgarh, 2000
Binzo ke Kalan, 1200
Binzo ke khurd 2000
Basti Jamalpura(a part of Malerkota town)
These villages are adjoining to Malerkotla town of Sangrur district when noticed exceptionally high number of mental retired cased in these villages. All these villages are near Malerkotla. A number of vegetable grower families are living here. These families mostly grow cauliflower, brinjal, chilli, spinach, radish, tammato, lady-finger, gourd, cabbage, squash gourd and pumpkin etc. Most of them are from Muslim community. They are mostly landless and take lands for growing vegetables on annual contracts.
As interviewed most of there farmers own very little land and cultivate over hired lands. Maximum spraying is done on there vegetables, which consume a lot of money over pesticides. Due to these pesticides very common symptoms like headache, nausea, anxiety, high blood pressure, allergies of skin and upper respirary tract are much prevalent among them. Here 8 patients of down syndrome were found in Dalelgarh. Among this population there are so many cases of mental retire ness. Down syndrome cases were also found among this population. Two death cases with cancer were also noticed Dalelgarh.
In village Dugni the ill effects of pesticides were also seen over there. Here 12 children were found metal retired. 3 children from one family were found mental retired. In this village 3 couple were found childless. All these adverse effects are because of pesticides. In this village most of families are vegetable growers. These families also use pesticides in their fields. Even women also work in the fields during the time of plucking and removing weeds. So some effect on them is also expected.
Adverse effects of pesticides were also seen in Ballamgarh village. People living in this village are also related with vegetable growers. In this village Asthma was found in 10 children due to pesticides. 10 persons has permanent allergy from pesticides.
The Basti Jamalpur one of the area of Malerkotla town engaged in vegetable cultivation over maximum area. Though people of all communities reside over there mainly Muslim community is growing vegetables. As interviewed most of these farmers own very little land and cultivate over hired lands. Maximum spraying is done over these vegetables (after each second or third day) which consumes lot of money over pesticides. Annual income is of much lower graph and almost all belong to low socio-economic status. All these workers are unaware of use of protective measures to be used while spraying and thus a rise in the dermal exposure is their very common symptoms like headache, nausea, anxiety, high blood pressure, allergies of skin and upper respirary tract are much prevalent among them. Besides this some cases of infertility and 8 patient of down syndrome were observed. This high incidence may be due to inbreeding (Marriage with in the group or cousin marriage) prevalent in this community. Their main ancestral occupation is to grow vegetables and from last 40-50 years they are doing the same. Females too work in the fields during the time of plucking and removing weeds. So some effect on them is also expected.
AWARENESS LEVEL:
People living in above villages don’t use precautionary measures while using pesticides. They have never educated about precautions. They have no interaction with departments of agriculture so that they can educate about the harmfulness of pesticides. The use of pesticides is very high. Same the adverse effects has been seen due to use of pesticides. So people should educated about the proper use of pesticides. In these kind of areas NPM (No Pest Management) and bio pest control should be propagated with the support of voluntary agencies and organic farmers.
Thus Kheti Virasat proposes to promote cultivation of organic vegetables in the area and for this the awareness among the farmers is needed urgently. Kheti Virasat also feels that a detailed survey should be taken in area to know that actual status of pesticides consumption, its quantity, patterns, so called cocktail usage and its ecological and health impacts.
Kheti Virasat is also planning to undertake a series of tests including soil, water, vegetables, fodder, milk, other crops along with scientific and clinical tests in the area with the collaboration and support of People’s Science Institute (PSI), Dehrudun.
THE TEAM:
Surinder Singh (Joint Director: Kheti Virasat) and Raminderjit Kaur (Voluntary researcher)
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Premature Hairs , Ageing And Predisposition To Cancer
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2007Dec; 1(6):577-580
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Premature Greying of Hairs, Premature Ageing and
Predisposition to Cancer in Jajjal, Punjab: A Preliminary
Observation
HALDER A
Sir,
Reproductive, developmental, and neoplastic
disorders due to occupational pesticide exposure
are an international issue [1],[2]. There has been
increasing anxiety following several media
reports concerning health-related problems such
as cancer, infertility, malformation, abortion,
developmental delay, etc. in Punjab, particularly
in Jajjal of Bathinda [3–6]. Punjab Pollution
Control Board and Post Graduate Institute of
Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh,
have reported through press a close association
between environmental pollution and cancer in
Jajjal [7],[8]. To assess the authenticity of above
reports this preliminary survey was carried out.
A preliminary survey was undertaken during a
documentary film production for Public Service
Broadcasting Trust on the issue of pesticides
(granted by the Ministry of Environment, India),
to assess the authenticity of reported health
effects, in particular reproductive and cancer, in
Jajjal village of Bathinda, Punjab. Observations
were gathered on reproductive and other health
effects, using both qualitative and quantitative
methods. The qualitative phase consisted of brief
interviews (volunteered to provide information)
in school, market, medical clinic, and club from
Dept. of Reproductive Biology, AIIMS, New Delhi, India
Corresponding author: Dr. Ashutosh Halder, Associate
Professor. Dept. of Reproductive Biology, All India Institute
of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India.
Tel.: 011-26593304 ext. 4211/09313309579 (m); fax: 011-
26588663; e-mail: ashutoshhalder@yahoo.co.in
Contributors and guarantor: AH planned, designed,
organised, coordinated and carried out the survey. He also
did data analysis, interpretation, and data drafting of the
article. He will act as the guarantor of the paper.
farmer, shop keeper, school teacher, alternative
medical personnel, student, and unemployed in
Bathinda (city and several villages) for any
noticeable medical disorder. In the quantitative
phase, data were obtained from randomly
selected 15 families (from both higher and lower
socioeconomic group for equal representation,
i.e. random stratified) consisting of 596
individuals, from Jajjal village (most severely
affected village). Information was obtained on
current age, gender, age at menarche, age at
puberty, infertility, time to pregnancy, sex
determination, family size, contraception,
abortion, malformation (particularly
cryptorchidism, hypospadius, and neural tube
defect), stillbirth, postnatal death, mental
deficiency, age of menopause, premature
greying of hairs (more than 50% greying of
scalp hairs before the age of 40 years),
premature ageing (more than 10 years older in
appearance than corresponding chronologic
age), cancer, hypertension, diabetes mellitus,
joint pain, and any other significant problem.
Information was also obtained on source of
drinking water. Survey was assisted by village
chief, school head master, and two local nongovernment
organisations. Consent (verbal) was
obtained for the use of data, including
photograph and video recording for academic
use and video documentary.
The age range of survey population was between
<1 and 92 years. There were 330 males and 266
females, i.e. overall sex ratio of 806 (i.e.
skewed). Premature greying of hairs [9] was
seen in 28 individuals (4.7%) of both sexes (23
males and five females) and as early as 10 years
of age ([Table/Fig 1A, B]). Premature ageing
was seen in 19 males (3.2%) ([Table/Fig 2]).
577
Halder: Letter to the editor – health effects in Jajjal, Punjab
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2007Dec; 1(6):577-580
There were eight cases (four males: parotid,
larynx, stomach and multiple myeloma; four
females: breast, cervix in two, and bone) of
death due to cancer in last 10 years. There were
118 boys between 13 and 23 years of age and 15
failed to show puberty (voice change and
moustache; enlargement of external genitalia
also failed in four cases); however, growth spurt
was normal. There were 85 girls between the age
of 13 and 20 years. All except five girls had
started menstruation before completion of 15
years. There were seven cases of infertility, 10
cases of neonatal and infantile death (five males
(A)
(B)
[Table/Fig 1] Premature greying of hairs
in an 11-year-old boy (A) and a 12-year-old
girl (B).
,five female), four cases of mental subnormality,
five cases of diabetes mellitus, one
case of cryptorchidism, and one case of spina
bifida.
Excess of cryptorchidism, hypospadius,
congenital malformation (including neural tube
defect), spontaneous abortion, prenatal sex
selection, infertility, early menarche, and early
menopause were not observed in the preliminary
surveyed population.
[Table/Fig 2] Premature ageing in a 44-
year-old man (left). His 74-year-old uncle
(right) is provided for comparison.
Premature greying of hairs, premature ageing,
and increased cancer deaths were observed in
the survey. Greying of hairs was due to varying
degree of admixture of white and black hairs and
not uniformly white as seen with albinism.
Furthermore, there was no pigmentary change in
skin or eyes. Greying of hairs is under-reported,
as most affected individuals (adults) use hair dye
to prevent social stigma, discrimination, and
difficulties in marriages. Although greyness of
hair in the survey was not quantified, however, it
was obvious, noticeable, and appreciable. Most
of the observed cases (19/29) of premature
greying of hairs in the survey were from healthy
school-going children, as they were not aware of
discrimination later on. The perception of grey
hair derives in large part from the admixture of
pigmented and white hair in most cases;
however, in some individuals it was from
pigment dilution. It is possible that melanocytes
from grey and white hair follicles can be
induced to pigment in vitro [9]. Spontaneous repigmentation
was seen in one case following
migration from the village, thus indicating local
578
Halder: Letter to the editor – health effects in Jajjal, Punjab
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2007Dec; 1(6):577-580
environmental factors as likely explanation. It is
also supported by appearance of grey hairs in
two sisters few years after marriage in the
village. Hair greying may be caused by defective
self-maintenance of melanocyte stem cells [10]
or reactive oxygen species-mediated damage to
nuclear and mitochondrial DNA or through the
exposure of environmental toxicants [10].
Ageing has a variety of definitions and
implications depending on one’s perspective;
thus, phenotypes include extremely diversified
clinico-pathological conditions [11]. In this
study, premature ageing was considered when an
individual was apparently looking more than 10
years older than the chronological age, mainly
based on greying of hairs, alopecia, skin
wrinkling, and overall appearance. As the nature
of the study was a preliminary survey no attempt
to examine biomarkers (glucose, insulin, ATP,
and reproductive hormones, in particular
dehydro-epiandrosterone sulphate, reactive
oxygen species, ß-galactosidase, etc.) or
radiologic markers (osteopenia/osteoporosis,
soft-tissue calcifications, etc.) or other markers
(atherosclerosis, hypogonadism, atrophy of
organs, etc.) of ageing were made. Premature
ageing (excluding genetic progeria syndromes)
commonly refers to the unnatural acceleration of
the natural ageing process primarily due to
damage (faulty genome maintenance) from sun
exposure, other environmental assaults
(radiation, chemical toxins, metal ions, free
radicals, hydrolysis, glycation, etc.) and an
unhealthy lifestyle. Premature ageing was not
expected before the survey. There are two major
theories of ageing, i.e. evolutionary and damage
based [12]. The former is natural selection and
favours a genetic composition. Second theory is
based on accumulated cellular damage over a
time and mainly environmental. Reactive
oxygen species (ROS), the by-products of
cellular metabolism, have long been regarded as
the principal intrinsic effector of cell damage
[13]. An emerging consensus is that ageing is a
consequence of macromolecular damage by
ROS, which oxidise lipids, proteins, and DNA,
with damage to the DNA leading to mutations
and chromosomal abnormalities [14]. In some
instances, this could irreversibly affect important
functions of the cell without causing cell death,
i.e. cell senescence. The p53 protein plays a vital
role in maintaining cell cycle (cell-cycle
inhibitors). A defective p53 protein leads to
increased cancer susceptibility, while higher
than normal levels contribute to premature
ageing [15], through apoptosis-mediated cell
death and/or cell senescence.
There were eight cases of cancer death in last 10
years. This gives a frequency of 134 cancer
deaths per lakh per year. This incidence is higher
than expected (~50 per annum per lakh)
[16],[17]. From a study [17] of house-to-house
survey in Bathinda, cancer prevalence was found
as 103 per lakh in Talwandi Sabo (107/85315)
and cancer deaths as 52 per lakh per year. The
same study [17] also reported higher level of
heavy metals (viz. arsenic, cadmium, chromium,
selenium, and mercury) and pesticides (viz.
heptachlor, ethion, and chlorpyrifos) in drinking
water, vegetables, and blood in the region.
Several reports have found association of cancer
with environmental pollution, viz. arsenic with
leukaemia, radiation with cancer of bone/softtissue/
blood/lymphoid tissue, and pesticide with
cancers of thyroid/breast/uterus/prostate/testis
/lymphoma/leukaemia [18],[19]. Lung cancer
was reported with exposure to silica, asbestos,
chromium, nickel, and radon [20]. Preliminary
survey supports reports of excess of cancer
deaths in Jajjal.
This preliminary survey finds, for the first time,
many unreported health effects in Jajjal. These
are premature greying of hairs and premature
ageing. Survey supports reports of excess of
cancer deaths. Genomic instability, cancer, and
accelerated ageing (premature ageing and
premature greying of hairs) are interrelated. All
these health effects can be explained by one
hypothesis, i.e. "derailed genomic integrity
following exogenous insult". A large-scale
epidemiological survey is warranted to validate
the findings and if so then study to find out
reason and prevention.
Acknowledgement
I would like to thank Mr. Sumit Khanna,
independent filmmaker, Mumbai, India, for
inviting and arranging facility for the survey in
Bathinda. I also would like to thank Mr.
Surinder Singh, Jt. Director, Khetivirasat
(NGO), and Mr. Umendra Dutt, Kheti Virasat
Mission (NGO), for assisting with the local
people. I acknowledge Ms. Raminderjeet Kaur,
PhD student, Human Biology, Panjabi
University, Patiala, Punjab, for language
interpretation during the survey. I am grateful to
Mr. T Heinemann (Journalist) and LL Cour
579
Halder: Letter to the editor – health effects in Jajjal, Punjab
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2007Dec; 1(6):577-580
(photographer) of Heinemann Medier,
Copenhagen, Denmark, for providing some
photographs.
References
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reproductive and developmental disorders due
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[2] Toft G, Hagmar L, Giwercman A, Bonde JP.
Epidemiological evidence on reproductive
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[3] Pesticides causing cancer: study. Tribune News
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[12] Kirkwood TBL, Austad SN. Why do we age?
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[13] Johnson F, Sinclair D, Guarente L. Molecular
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Vijg J. Aging and genome maintenance: lessons
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[18] Walker M, Benson M, Shaw WD. Significance of
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[19] Warner M, Eskenazi B, Mocarelli P, Gerthoux PM,
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580
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Premature Greying of Hairs, Premature Ageing and
Predisposition to Cancer in Jajjal, Punjab: A Preliminary
Observation
HALDER A
Sir,
Reproductive, developmental, and neoplastic
disorders due to occupational pesticide exposure
are an international issue [1],[2]. There has been
increasing anxiety following several media
reports concerning health-related problems such
as cancer, infertility, malformation, abortion,
developmental delay, etc. in Punjab, particularly
in Jajjal of Bathinda [3–6]. Punjab Pollution
Control Board and Post Graduate Institute of
Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh,
have reported through press a close association
between environmental pollution and cancer in
Jajjal [7],[8]. To assess the authenticity of above
reports this preliminary survey was carried out.
A preliminary survey was undertaken during a
documentary film production for Public Service
Broadcasting Trust on the issue of pesticides
(granted by the Ministry of Environment, India),
to assess the authenticity of reported health
effects, in particular reproductive and cancer, in
Jajjal village of Bathinda, Punjab. Observations
were gathered on reproductive and other health
effects, using both qualitative and quantitative
methods. The qualitative phase consisted of brief
interviews (volunteered to provide information)
in school, market, medical clinic, and club from
Dept. of Reproductive Biology, AIIMS, New Delhi, India
Corresponding author: Dr. Ashutosh Halder, Associate
Professor. Dept. of Reproductive Biology, All India Institute
of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India.
Tel.: 011-26593304 ext. 4211/09313309579 (m); fax: 011-
26588663; e-mail: ashutoshhalder@yahoo.co.in
Contributors and guarantor: AH planned, designed,
organised, coordinated and carried out the survey. He also
did data analysis, interpretation, and data drafting of the
article. He will act as the guarantor of the paper.
farmer, shop keeper, school teacher, alternative
medical personnel, student, and unemployed in
Bathinda (city and several villages) for any
noticeable medical disorder. In the quantitative
phase, data were obtained from randomly
selected 15 families (from both higher and lower
socioeconomic group for equal representation,
i.e. random stratified) consisting of 596
individuals, from Jajjal village (most severely
affected village). Information was obtained on
current age, gender, age at menarche, age at
puberty, infertility, time to pregnancy, sex
determination, family size, contraception,
abortion, malformation (particularly
cryptorchidism, hypospadius, and neural tube
defect), stillbirth, postnatal death, mental
deficiency, age of menopause, premature
greying of hairs (more than 50% greying of
scalp hairs before the age of 40 years),
premature ageing (more than 10 years older in
appearance than corresponding chronologic
age), cancer, hypertension, diabetes mellitus,
joint pain, and any other significant problem.
Information was also obtained on source of
drinking water. Survey was assisted by village
chief, school head master, and two local nongovernment
organisations. Consent (verbal) was
obtained for the use of data, including
photograph and video recording for academic
use and video documentary.
The age range of survey population was between
<1 and 92 years. There were 330 males and 266
females, i.e. overall sex ratio of 806 (i.e.
skewed). Premature greying of hairs [9] was
seen in 28 individuals (4.7%) of both sexes (23
males and five females) and as early as 10 years
of age ([Table/Fig 1A, B]). Premature ageing
was seen in 19 males (3.2%) ([Table/Fig 2]).
577
Halder: Letter to the editor – health effects in Jajjal, Punjab
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2007Dec; 1(6):577-580
There were eight cases (four males: parotid,
larynx, stomach and multiple myeloma; four
females: breast, cervix in two, and bone) of
death due to cancer in last 10 years. There were
118 boys between 13 and 23 years of age and 15
failed to show puberty (voice change and
moustache; enlargement of external genitalia
also failed in four cases); however, growth spurt
was normal. There were 85 girls between the age
of 13 and 20 years. All except five girls had
started menstruation before completion of 15
years. There were seven cases of infertility, 10
cases of neonatal and infantile death (five males
(A)
(B)
[Table/Fig 1] Premature greying of hairs
in an 11-year-old boy (A) and a 12-year-old
girl (B).
,five female), four cases of mental subnormality,
five cases of diabetes mellitus, one
case of cryptorchidism, and one case of spina
bifida.
Excess of cryptorchidism, hypospadius,
congenital malformation (including neural tube
defect), spontaneous abortion, prenatal sex
selection, infertility, early menarche, and early
menopause were not observed in the preliminary
surveyed population.
[Table/Fig 2] Premature ageing in a 44-
year-old man (left). His 74-year-old uncle
(right) is provided for comparison.
Premature greying of hairs, premature ageing,
and increased cancer deaths were observed in
the survey. Greying of hairs was due to varying
degree of admixture of white and black hairs and
not uniformly white as seen with albinism.
Furthermore, there was no pigmentary change in
skin or eyes. Greying of hairs is under-reported,
as most affected individuals (adults) use hair dye
to prevent social stigma, discrimination, and
difficulties in marriages. Although greyness of
hair in the survey was not quantified, however, it
was obvious, noticeable, and appreciable. Most
of the observed cases (19/29) of premature
greying of hairs in the survey were from healthy
school-going children, as they were not aware of
discrimination later on. The perception of grey
hair derives in large part from the admixture of
pigmented and white hair in most cases;
however, in some individuals it was from
pigment dilution. It is possible that melanocytes
from grey and white hair follicles can be
induced to pigment in vitro [9]. Spontaneous repigmentation
was seen in one case following
migration from the village, thus indicating local
578
Halder: Letter to the editor – health effects in Jajjal, Punjab
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2007Dec; 1(6):577-580
environmental factors as likely explanation. It is
also supported by appearance of grey hairs in
two sisters few years after marriage in the
village. Hair greying may be caused by defective
self-maintenance of melanocyte stem cells [10]
or reactive oxygen species-mediated damage to
nuclear and mitochondrial DNA or through the
exposure of environmental toxicants [10].
Ageing has a variety of definitions and
implications depending on one’s perspective;
thus, phenotypes include extremely diversified
clinico-pathological conditions [11]. In this
study, premature ageing was considered when an
individual was apparently looking more than 10
years older than the chronological age, mainly
based on greying of hairs, alopecia, skin
wrinkling, and overall appearance. As the nature
of the study was a preliminary survey no attempt
to examine biomarkers (glucose, insulin, ATP,
and reproductive hormones, in particular
dehydro-epiandrosterone sulphate, reactive
oxygen species, ß-galactosidase, etc.) or
radiologic markers (osteopenia/osteoporosis,
soft-tissue calcifications, etc.) or other markers
(atherosclerosis, hypogonadism, atrophy of
organs, etc.) of ageing were made. Premature
ageing (excluding genetic progeria syndromes)
commonly refers to the unnatural acceleration of
the natural ageing process primarily due to
damage (faulty genome maintenance) from sun
exposure, other environmental assaults
(radiation, chemical toxins, metal ions, free
radicals, hydrolysis, glycation, etc.) and an
unhealthy lifestyle. Premature ageing was not
expected before the survey. There are two major
theories of ageing, i.e. evolutionary and damage
based [12]. The former is natural selection and
favours a genetic composition. Second theory is
based on accumulated cellular damage over a
time and mainly environmental. Reactive
oxygen species (ROS), the by-products of
cellular metabolism, have long been regarded as
the principal intrinsic effector of cell damage
[13]. An emerging consensus is that ageing is a
consequence of macromolecular damage by
ROS, which oxidise lipids, proteins, and DNA,
with damage to the DNA leading to mutations
and chromosomal abnormalities [14]. In some
instances, this could irreversibly affect important
functions of the cell without causing cell death,
i.e. cell senescence. The p53 protein plays a vital
role in maintaining cell cycle (cell-cycle
inhibitors). A defective p53 protein leads to
increased cancer susceptibility, while higher
than normal levels contribute to premature
ageing [15], through apoptosis-mediated cell
death and/or cell senescence.
There were eight cases of cancer death in last 10
years. This gives a frequency of 134 cancer
deaths per lakh per year. This incidence is higher
than expected (~50 per annum per lakh)
[16],[17]. From a study [17] of house-to-house
survey in Bathinda, cancer prevalence was found
as 103 per lakh in Talwandi Sabo (107/85315)
and cancer deaths as 52 per lakh per year. The
same study [17] also reported higher level of
heavy metals (viz. arsenic, cadmium, chromium,
selenium, and mercury) and pesticides (viz.
heptachlor, ethion, and chlorpyrifos) in drinking
water, vegetables, and blood in the region.
Several reports have found association of cancer
with environmental pollution, viz. arsenic with
leukaemia, radiation with cancer of bone/softtissue/
blood/lymphoid tissue, and pesticide with
cancers of thyroid/breast/uterus/prostate/testis
/lymphoma/leukaemia [18],[19]. Lung cancer
was reported with exposure to silica, asbestos,
chromium, nickel, and radon [20]. Preliminary
survey supports reports of excess of cancer
deaths in Jajjal.
This preliminary survey finds, for the first time,
many unreported health effects in Jajjal. These
are premature greying of hairs and premature
ageing. Survey supports reports of excess of
cancer deaths. Genomic instability, cancer, and
accelerated ageing (premature ageing and
premature greying of hairs) are interrelated. All
these health effects can be explained by one
hypothesis, i.e. "derailed genomic integrity
following exogenous insult". A large-scale
epidemiological survey is warranted to validate
the findings and if so then study to find out
reason and prevention.
Acknowledgement
I would like to thank Mr. Sumit Khanna,
independent filmmaker, Mumbai, India, for
inviting and arranging facility for the survey in
Bathinda. I also would like to thank Mr.
Surinder Singh, Jt. Director, Khetivirasat
(NGO), and Mr. Umendra Dutt, Kheti Virasat
Mission (NGO), for assisting with the local
people. I acknowledge Ms. Raminderjeet Kaur,
PhD student, Human Biology, Panjabi
University, Patiala, Punjab, for language
interpretation during the survey. I am grateful to
Mr. T Heinemann (Journalist) and LL Cour
579
Halder: Letter to the editor – health effects in Jajjal, Punjab
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2007Dec; 1(6):577-580
(photographer) of Heinemann Medier,
Copenhagen, Denmark, for providing some
photographs.
References
[1] Hanke W, Jurewicz J. The risk of adverse
reproductive and developmental disorders due
to occupational pesticide exposure: an overview
of current epidemiological evidence. Int J Occup
Med Environ Health 2004;17:223–43.
[2] Toft G, Hagmar L, Giwercman A, Bonde JP.
Epidemiological evidence on reproductive
effects of persistent organochlorines in humans.
Reprod Toxicol 2004;19:5–26.
[3] Pesticides causing cancer: study. Tribune News
Service, Patiala, May 4 2005.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050505/
punjab1.htm (accessed on 02/02/2006)
[4] Kuruganti K. Children’s development
undermined by pesticide use in India.
http://www.panuk.
org/pestnews/pn65/pn65p12.htm (accessed
on 02/02/2006)
[5] Maharastra Pollution Control Board.
Environmental Health Crisis in Cotton Belt of
Punjab.
http://mpcb.mah.nic.in/healthenvt/punjabheal
th.php (accessed on 03/02/2006)
[6] Preet J. Cancer and Pesticides. 23 August, 2005.
http//www.countercurrents.org/enpreet230805.
htm (accessed on 03/02/2006)
[7] Mathur HB, Agarwal HC, Johnson S, Saikia N.
Analysis of pesticide residues in blood samples
from villages of Punjab.
http://www.downtoearth.org.in/Images/
20050615/Punjab_blood_report.pdf (accessed
on 02/02/2006)
[8] Study reveals link between pesticides and
cancer. Express News Service, Patiala, May 3.
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?ne
wsid=127646 (accessed on 03/02/2006)
[9] Tobin DJ, Paus R. Graying: gerontobiology of the
hair follicle pigmentary unit. Exp Gerontol
2001;36:29–54.
[10] Nishimura EK, Granter SR, Fisher DE.
Mechanisms of hair graying: incomplete
melanocyte stem cell maintenance in the niche.
Science 2005;307:720–4.
[11] Hayflick L. How and why we age. Exp Gerontol
1998;33:639–53.
[12] Kirkwood TBL, Austad SN. Why do we age?
Nature 2000;408:233–8.
[13] Johnson F, Sinclair D, Guarente L. Molecular
biology of aging. Cell 1999;96:291–302.
[14] Hasty P, Campisi J, Hoeijmakers J, van Steeg H,
Vijg J. Aging and genome maintenance: lessons
from the mouse? Science 2003;299:1355–9.
[15] Ferbeyre G, Lowe SW. The price of tumor
suppression. Nature 2002;415:26-7.
[16] Joshi R, Cardona M, Iyengar S, Sukumar A, Raju
CR, Raju KR, et al. Chronic diseases now a
leading cause of death in rural India – mortality
data from the Andhra Pradesh Rural Health
Initiative. Int J Epidemiol 2006;35:1522–9.
[17] Preet J. Cancer and Pesticides. 23 August, 2005.
http//www.countercurrents.org/enpreet230805.
htm (accessed on 03/02/2006)
[18] Walker M, Benson M, Shaw WD. Significance of
private water supply wells in a rural Nevada
area as a route of exposure to aqueous arsenic.
J Water Health 2005;3:305–12.
[19] Warner M, Eskenazi B, Mocarelli P, Gerthoux PM,
Samuels S, Needham L, Patterson D, et al.
Serum dioxin concentrations and breast cancer
risk in the Seveso Women's Health Study.
Environ Health Perspect 2002;110:625–8.
[20] Alberg AJ, Brock MV, Samet JM. Epidemiology of
lung cancer: looking to the future. J Clin Oncol
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580
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
India's Deadly Chemical Addiction
TIME ( weekly Magazine ) New York
India's Deadly Chemical Addiction
Tuesday, Jun. 10, 2008 By MADHUR SINGH ( Reports )
Indian cancer sufferer Mukthiar Singh, second to right, sits with family members on a platform in Bhatinda, waiting to board a train known as the "Cancer Express"
www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1813081,00.html
On a scorching June afternoon in Jhajjal village in southwestern Punjab, elderly men have gathered in a communal courtyard to quell the boredom of the long afternoon with a game of cards. The cotton crop has been sown, and the farmers have a few weeks' holiday before they must return to their fields. As with most small villages, everyone knows everyone else here, and the conversation centers around marriages and births. But these usually mundane topics have taken on a tragic twist, involving couples failing to conceive, children being born with genetic disorders, people of all ages succumbing to cancer. Nadar Singh, the village headman, says there have been some 20 cancer-related deaths during the last five years in Jhajjal, a village of only 3,200. "A 23-year-old died of cancer in our village last year," he says, "But such news has stopped shocking us. Here even kids have cancer."
Related Articles
India's rural activists for years have blamed the overuse and misuse of pesticides for a pervasive health crisis that afflicts villages like Jhajjal across the cotton belt of Punjab. Evidence continues to mount that the problems are severe. Last month, a government-funded study revealed that chemical fertilizers and pesticides have seeped into the groundwater in four Punjab districts and are causing an alarming array of ecological and health problems including cancer and mental retardation. A June 2005 study by the new Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment found residues of between 6 and 13 pesticides in blood samples of villagers from Mahi Nangal, Jajjal and Balloh villages in Bhatinda district. Recent research by Punjabi University at Patiala established evidence of DNA damage among agricultural workers exposed to pesticides; damaged genes can give rise to a range of cancers as well as neurological and reproductive disorders. Bala, a 24-year-old day laborer, worked for two months in the fields during the spraying season four years ago. Not long after, her second child, a boy, was born with a neurological disorder and has recently been diagnosed with hydrocephalus. "His treatment is so expensive that we have had to borrow large amounts of money... I know he won't survive" she says. Surinder Singh, the executive director of the rural NGO Kheti Virasat, says, "Punjab is paying with its life for a dubious promise of prosperity."
Punjab's lethal pesticide legacy can be traced to the Green Revolution of the 1960s and '70s, when high-yielding varieties of cotton were introduced in the region's relatively arid Malwa belt. Initially the move was successful as yields and prices were good. But farmers soon discovered that the cotton was highly susceptible to pests, and ended up spending huge amounts on pesticides. As the pests, such as pink bollworm and aphids, became increasingly resistant to chemical spraying, farmers reacted by laying on even more, sometimes mixing two or more products against all scientific evidence. The region virtually became a chemical laboratory. The expense of spraying put many farmers deep in debt, yet they remain vulnerable to outbreaks such as a mealy bug attack last year that destroyed 70% of the crop. "Earlier, we used less water, traditional crops and organic manure. Now, it's all chemicals," says Sarmukh Singh, a 93-year-old patriarch in Jhajjal. "We've got our land addicted, but we don't know how to fight this addiction."
The health impact on the region is shocking. A daily passenger train that runs from Bathinder to Bikaner in neighboring Rajasthan is nicknamed the "Cancer Express" because it routinely fills a dozen cars with patients and their attendants on their way to a charitable hospital. Despite the high incidence of cancer, there is no government-run cancer hospital in the Malwa region, although the government announced plans to build one last year. "Officials sometimes visit our village, but they never seem to do anything," says Santosh, a 35-year-old resident of Jhajjal who was diagnosed with leukemia three years back and goes to Bikaner every six months for a blood transfusion.
There's plenty of blaming going on. Pesticide companies blame farmers for not adhering to prescribed quantities and not using protective gear. Workers who spray the chemicals blame landlords for not investing in protection, and companies for not properly informing them of the dangers of exposure. Farmers claim it is greedy dealers who push them to spray more, and also blame the government's failure to change its policies after the harmful side effects of the Green Revolution began showing. "We know what we are doing is not sustainable," says Nazar Singh, the chief of Jhajjal. "The agriculture department and the PAU [Punjab Agricultural University, which pioneered the Green Revolution]should come up with an alternative."
Faced with the latest studies on the effects of pesticides on the ecology and on people's health, Punjab Pollution Control Board is holding a meeting in the coming weeks to decide what action to take. For the moment, the government doesn't seem to have a plan of action, though piecemeal steps are afoot. It is promoting herbal pesticides and extending outreach programs to better educate farmers about the dangers of pesticide overuse—not only in this region but all over Punjab. Some farmers are taking up organic farming, and many scientists have been calling for a return to crops more suited to the local landscape—in the case of the Malwa region, pulses and cereals like bajra and maize in addition to cotton—to restore the biodiversity of the soil. The Congress Party–led government in Delhi has been talking about the need to launch a second Green Revolution, for which it is partnering with countries like the U.S. and Israel to devise technologies that are more sustainable. It is looking at developing and introducing transgenic crops and other advances in biotechnology. But, as Surinder Singh of Kheti Virasat points out, the government must ensure that it doesn't repeat the mistakes it made the first time around. "The Punjab farmer basks in the glory of making Punjab the bread basket of India," he says, "but the price has been too high. Punjab cannot pay with the lives of its next generation."
time:http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1813081,00.html
India's Deadly Chemical Addiction
Tuesday, Jun. 10, 2008 By MADHUR SINGH ( Reports )
Indian cancer sufferer Mukthiar Singh, second to right, sits with family members on a platform in Bhatinda, waiting to board a train known as the "Cancer Express"
www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1813081,00.html
On a scorching June afternoon in Jhajjal village in southwestern Punjab, elderly men have gathered in a communal courtyard to quell the boredom of the long afternoon with a game of cards. The cotton crop has been sown, and the farmers have a few weeks' holiday before they must return to their fields. As with most small villages, everyone knows everyone else here, and the conversation centers around marriages and births. But these usually mundane topics have taken on a tragic twist, involving couples failing to conceive, children being born with genetic disorders, people of all ages succumbing to cancer. Nadar Singh, the village headman, says there have been some 20 cancer-related deaths during the last five years in Jhajjal, a village of only 3,200. "A 23-year-old died of cancer in our village last year," he says, "But such news has stopped shocking us. Here even kids have cancer."
Related Articles
India's rural activists for years have blamed the overuse and misuse of pesticides for a pervasive health crisis that afflicts villages like Jhajjal across the cotton belt of Punjab. Evidence continues to mount that the problems are severe. Last month, a government-funded study revealed that chemical fertilizers and pesticides have seeped into the groundwater in four Punjab districts and are causing an alarming array of ecological and health problems including cancer and mental retardation. A June 2005 study by the new Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment found residues of between 6 and 13 pesticides in blood samples of villagers from Mahi Nangal, Jajjal and Balloh villages in Bhatinda district. Recent research by Punjabi University at Patiala established evidence of DNA damage among agricultural workers exposed to pesticides; damaged genes can give rise to a range of cancers as well as neurological and reproductive disorders. Bala, a 24-year-old day laborer, worked for two months in the fields during the spraying season four years ago. Not long after, her second child, a boy, was born with a neurological disorder and has recently been diagnosed with hydrocephalus. "His treatment is so expensive that we have had to borrow large amounts of money... I know he won't survive" she says. Surinder Singh, the executive director of the rural NGO Kheti Virasat, says, "Punjab is paying with its life for a dubious promise of prosperity."
Punjab's lethal pesticide legacy can be traced to the Green Revolution of the 1960s and '70s, when high-yielding varieties of cotton were introduced in the region's relatively arid Malwa belt. Initially the move was successful as yields and prices were good. But farmers soon discovered that the cotton was highly susceptible to pests, and ended up spending huge amounts on pesticides. As the pests, such as pink bollworm and aphids, became increasingly resistant to chemical spraying, farmers reacted by laying on even more, sometimes mixing two or more products against all scientific evidence. The region virtually became a chemical laboratory. The expense of spraying put many farmers deep in debt, yet they remain vulnerable to outbreaks such as a mealy bug attack last year that destroyed 70% of the crop. "Earlier, we used less water, traditional crops and organic manure. Now, it's all chemicals," says Sarmukh Singh, a 93-year-old patriarch in Jhajjal. "We've got our land addicted, but we don't know how to fight this addiction."
The health impact on the region is shocking. A daily passenger train that runs from Bathinder to Bikaner in neighboring Rajasthan is nicknamed the "Cancer Express" because it routinely fills a dozen cars with patients and their attendants on their way to a charitable hospital. Despite the high incidence of cancer, there is no government-run cancer hospital in the Malwa region, although the government announced plans to build one last year. "Officials sometimes visit our village, but they never seem to do anything," says Santosh, a 35-year-old resident of Jhajjal who was diagnosed with leukemia three years back and goes to Bikaner every six months for a blood transfusion.
There's plenty of blaming going on. Pesticide companies blame farmers for not adhering to prescribed quantities and not using protective gear. Workers who spray the chemicals blame landlords for not investing in protection, and companies for not properly informing them of the dangers of exposure. Farmers claim it is greedy dealers who push them to spray more, and also blame the government's failure to change its policies after the harmful side effects of the Green Revolution began showing. "We know what we are doing is not sustainable," says Nazar Singh, the chief of Jhajjal. "The agriculture department and the PAU [Punjab Agricultural University, which pioneered the Green Revolution]should come up with an alternative."
Faced with the latest studies on the effects of pesticides on the ecology and on people's health, Punjab Pollution Control Board is holding a meeting in the coming weeks to decide what action to take. For the moment, the government doesn't seem to have a plan of action, though piecemeal steps are afoot. It is promoting herbal pesticides and extending outreach programs to better educate farmers about the dangers of pesticide overuse—not only in this region but all over Punjab. Some farmers are taking up organic farming, and many scientists have been calling for a return to crops more suited to the local landscape—in the case of the Malwa region, pulses and cereals like bajra and maize in addition to cotton—to restore the biodiversity of the soil. The Congress Party–led government in Delhi has been talking about the need to launch a second Green Revolution, for which it is partnering with countries like the U.S. and Israel to devise technologies that are more sustainable. It is looking at developing and introducing transgenic crops and other advances in biotechnology. But, as Surinder Singh of Kheti Virasat points out, the government must ensure that it doesn't repeat the mistakes it made the first time around. "The Punjab farmer basks in the glory of making Punjab the bread basket of India," he says, "but the price has been too high. Punjab cannot pay with the lives of its next generation."
time:http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1813081,00.html
Friday, June 6, 2008
Health problems in cotton belt of Punjab
Premature aging
A 14 years old boy ( Gurcharan Singh ) on right side and his father S. Sohan Singh Village Bangi Niha Singh Walal , Talwandi Sabo , Bathinda (50 years) looks similar in age.
3 years old boy Nameesh of village Jajjal, Talwandi Sabo ,village of cotton belt with hydrocephaly, cancer and neurological defect . 
Photograph of person with premature aging. The person on the left side is 50 years old and the right one is 70 years old but there seems little difference between the age of two from their exrenal appearence.The former looks more aged from his present age.
Picture of boy with grey hairs at the age of 13 years.Many other children of village Jajjal were observed to have about 70 % of their hairs grey.
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