Traces of lead, zinc and nickel found in vegetables from Lahore, Rawalpindi
Lahore, Pakistan: Traces of heavy metals like lead, cadmium, nickel and zinc are found in vegetables available in the local markets of Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Multan, Kasur and Faisalabad.
According to report prepared by Punjab Agriculture Department, excessive amount of chemicals and organic fertilizers along with lead, cadmium, nickel and zinc was found in vegetables and it was revealed in an investigation that vegetables were grown through the sewer water.
According to report, horticulture growers were mostly using sewage water for growing vegetables in suburban areas of Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Multan, Kasur and Faisalabad and vegetables available in local markets of these cities were injurious to health and badly affecting human health.
Report added that farmers of suburban areas of small and big cities were wasting free water offered by the Agriculture government by mixing it with sewer water.
An official of Agriculture Department when contacted confirmed that samples of polluted sewerage water and vegetables grown from it were taken from Multan, Faislabad, Kasur, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi and Lahore to analyse in a chemical laboratory. He said the experts had proved that sewerage water mixed with heavy components of industrial wastes was badly affecting humans health. He referred a recent research which proved presence of heavy metals like lead, cadmium, nickel and zinc in common vegetables grown through the sewer water. He warned of multiple diseases like high blood pressure, mental complications as a result of these vegetables production.
