Having no appeal
A study carried out by a number of Belgium universities has shown that even a moderate exposure to pollutants like polychlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons (pahs) can retard sexual maturation in children. Till date only occupational or accidental exposure had been implicated for such problems. The study was conducted on 200 adolescents living in two polluted areas and a rural unpolluted area. To test the effect of pahs, markers such as levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs) and dioxin-like compounds were measured in the blood. Trained school physician took blood samples along with measuring testicular volume.
In boys, genital development and pubic hair growth was inversely proportional to the amount of pcb markers in the blood. Testicular volume was also lower in boys living in polluted areas. Even in girls, small breasts were related to the higher amount of dioxins in their blood. According to the authors, the results suggest that measures to control environmental pollution are insufficient.
Related Content
- Judgment of the Supreme Court regarding Auroville Township Project in Puducherry, March 17, 2025
- Order of the Supreme Court regarding removal of the encroachments from the river bed/flood plain zone of river Rispana, Uttarakhand, 10/02/2025
- Judgment of the Supreme Court regarding decision to construct a commercial airport in Silchar, Assam, 06/05/2024
- Order of the Supreme Court regarding 3009.84 acres of land situated at Vadipatti village and a part of the Sirumalai hills, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, 18/03/2024
- Judgment of the Supreme Court regarding the effective functioning of environmental regulatory bodies and authorities, 31/01/2024
- Order of the Supreme Court regarding the of land of DSIIDC at Ranikhera-Mundka which was reserved for waste management, 31/07/2023