Report by Karnataka State Pollution Control Board on heavy metal concentrations in vegetables obtained from markets of Bengaluru city, Karnataka, 19/11/2023
Report by Karnataka State Pollution Control Board in Original Application No 685 of 2023 news item titled 'Vegetables across Bengaluru contaminated with heavy metal warns study appearing in One India dated October 25, 2023.
The Karnataka SPCB report of November 19, 2023 studied heavy metal concentrations in vegetables obtained from markets of Bengaluru city and was conceptualized by EMPRI to estimate the concentration of heavy metals in vegetables. The findings of the report highlighted the presence of heavy metals in vegetables.
Among 320 samples analyzed, 200 samples were found to be within the permissible limits pertaining to the concentrations of Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu and Ni. Whereas the concentrations of Cr, Pb and Cd have exceeded the permissible limits of FAO/WHO. The concentrations of lead and cadmium were below detectable limits in vegetables from retail markets and organic stores.
The SPCB informed the NGT that to understand the extent of contamination in vegetables from selected stores/markets of Bengaluru, a more comprehensive and in-depth investigation/study involving its sources, soil, water, agri-inputs and diverse farming practices would be necessary involving the Food Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) at state level.