It is nothing less than a big Toxic Shock. IIT Mandi Study has detected Cancer-Causing Metals in Baddi-Barotiwala Groundwater. It is now clear how certain industries are ruling the roost in BBN under the nose of pollution regulator and state government's BBN authorities.
MANDI/SHIMLA — An explosive new study by IIT Mandi and IIT Jammu has uncovered severe contamination in the groundwater of Himachal Pradesh’s Baddi-Barotiwala (BB) industrial corridor.
The region’s groundwater is laced with a dangerous mix of cancer-causing metals.
It has turned this industrial hub into a dumping ground for pollutants while the state government looks the other way.
The research, led by Dr. Deepak Swami from IIT Mandi and Dr. Nitin Joshi from IIT Jammu, reveals that groundwater in BB is tainted with toxic metals far exceeding safety limits.
Industrial pollutants like zinc, lead, cobalt, nickel, and chromium, along with geogenic uranium, pose serious health threats, including cancer and kidney disease.
Published in the journal *Science of the Total Environment*, the study highlights the devastating impact of unchecked industrial activities on the region’s water supply.
A Toxic Reality
Groundwater in India, essential for drinking and agriculture, is rapidly deteriorating due to industrialization and population growth.
The BB area, a major industrial zone, reflects this crisis. Untreated industrial waste has infiltrated groundwater, turning it into a deadly brew.
From 2013 to 2018, the BB area reported a significant increase in cancer and renal disease cases linked to this polluted water.
Ground Zero: Health Crisis
Dr. Swami’s team analyzed groundwater samples, discovering that the water, while mainly calcium carbonate, is dangerously spiked with uranium and metals from industrial waste.
Using the USEPA human health risk model, they assessed the health risks of drinking this polluted water.
The results are dire: both adults and children face high risks of non-carcinogenic illnesses from uranium, and adults are at high risk of cancer from metals like nickel and chromium.
Industrial Ignorance: Government Inaction
The study reveals the industrial corridor as a toxic wasteland, ignored by authorities. “Groundwater poses serious health risks, and immediate action is needed,” Dr. Swami warned.
He emphasized the need for better monitoring and regulation of industrial effluents, and policies to balance development with public health.
Dr. Joshi from IIT Jammu underscored these concerns, noting that the BB region is on a hazardous path similar to polluted areas of southwestern Punjab.
“We found shocking levels of contaminants in groundwater that locals consider safe to drink,” he said.
Mapping the Crisis
Geospatial maps created by the researchers expose the extent of metal contamination and highlight the most affected areas. These maps are crucial for residents to understand the pollution and demand urgent cleanup and policy changes.
A Call to Action
This study is a wake-up call for Himachal Pradesh. The state’s unchecked industrial growth is poisoning its people, and without immediate steps to treat effluents and regulate waste, the region faces a catastrophic health crisis.
The researchers urge the government to enforce stricter pollution controls and improve water treatment infrastructure to protect public health.
With over 80% of health problems in developing countries linked to poor water quality, the time to act is now.
“Groundwater in the BB area is not just contaminated; it’s toxic. The state’s industrial growth is coming at the cost of its people’s health,” the researchers warned.
The government’s complacency is not just negligent; it’s lethal.
(Source: IIT Mandi and IIT Jammu Study, *Science of the Total Environment, June 13, 2024)
