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Evidence of Damage

  • 14/06/2005

Evidence  of Damage Anecdotal reports of high incidence of cancer had been coming from certain areas of Punjab since last few years. It is common knowledge that pesticide use in Punjab is amongst the highest in India. We also came to know another study that explored the high incidence of cancer in certain areas of Punjab and its linkage with pesticide. The Punjab Pollution Control Board had commissioned this study. We had sent one of our colleagues to visit the area and to ascertain the cancer incidence situation. She came back with data and names of a few places. In October 2004, the Pollution Monitoring Laboratory (pml) of the Centre for Science and Environment (cse) decided to undertake a study in these areas of Punjab.

(see the graph)

A team of pml scientists visited Punjab, October 4-7, 2004. We visited four villages: Mahi Nangal, Jajjal and Balloh in Bhatinda district and Dher in Ropar district

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