TALE OF A TOXIC CITY
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are highly toxic chemicals whose production and use has been banned all over the world.
• PCBs are heat resistant, but when they burn at high temperatures they produce one of the most lethal toxins.
• PCBs degrade very slowly in the environment, polluting it for years and poisoning all forms of life.
• The Indian Council of Medical Research sponsored a study, which found high levels of PCBs in blood samples of Delhi's population in 1985.
• PCBs in blood samples were reported to be several times higher than those found across the world, and soil in various parts of Delhi was found to be highly contaminated.
• No follow-up studies were sponsored by the ICMR. The authorities ignored the results.
• The Central Pollution Control Board is least bothered and the ministry of health is unaware that a deadly pollutant may be poisoning thousands.
• The ministry of environment and forests can only point out that there are no standards to monitor PCB levels.
• PCBs are not even listed among hazardous chemicals in India, while less toxic compounds like polybrominate biphenyl are.
• The Indian Chemical Catalogue of the Bureau of Indian Standards does not list manufacturers of PCBs in India.
• Medical and health authorities act like a knowledge mafia, with no interest in protecting people from health hazards.