by Ravi Agarwal | May 26, 2022 | Chemicals, Publications, Reports, 2020
The study is an attempt to get an overview on the presence of phthalates in diapers in the Indian context. The study has also established that most of the diapers contain phthalates like DEPH and DBP which are well-known endocrine disruptors. The sample TL-D 16 hasthe highest concentration of DEHP, DBP and total phthalates of 8.2 -302.25 PPM, which is notably higher than the recent published studies by Ishi et al 2015 on DEHP (0.1-0.6 ppm) and DBP (0.1-0.2 ppm) in baby diapers available in Japan and Park et al 2019 of the level of DEHP (0.01-0.06 ppm) and DBP (0.01-0.16 ppm) in diapers in Netherlands. Incidently most of the samples studiedin India have high phthalate levels than the available global studies conducted on phthalates in diapers. Therefore the present study raised concerns on the quality of the products available in the Indian market and also the possible unimaginable risks that these products can pose to children. Moreover due to lack of a suitable disposal mechanism in place, diapers mostly end in the landfills or the surrounding open spaces of our neighbourhoods.As the diapers contain high level of phthalates, there is every possibility that these phthalates are being leached out to the surrounding environment and impacting the overall ecosytems including the ground water. And this can pose huge health hazards to the surrounding community as well.
by Ravi Agarwal | May 26, 2022 | Publications, Reports, 2022
The study by the environmental group raises serious concern on the current focus on ‘recycling’ to address the challenges of dealing with rising e-waste volumes globally and stresses on the need to bring in holistic solutions and shift focus from mere recycling to other aspects of a circular economy like reduce and repair.
by Ravi Agarwal | May 26, 2022 | Publications, Reports, 2021
The study titled, ‘Quantitative analysis of Microplastics along River Ganga’ finds that the river is heavily polluted with microplastics. It has thrown up alarming results as microplastics were found in all the samples.The river water testing was carried out in collaboration with the National Institute of Oceanography in Goa and a set of five water samples were collected from the river at Haridwar, Kanpur and Varanasi. The samples were tested through FTIR to identify the exact type or resin core and the results show presence of significantly high (40) different kinds of polymers as microplastics in Ganga waters. Resins like EVOH, Polyacetylene, PIP, PVC and PVAL were predominant in all three locations. However, the concentration of microplastics was significantly different in different sampling sites. Locations with higher population density and greater industrialisation (textile, tannery, etc.,) etc.,had a higher microplastics concentration in the river.The study findings indicated higher microplastic levels in the samples collected from Kanpur and Varanasi in comparison to Haridwar. Among the three cities, Varanasi showed the maximum load of microplastics in the Ganga waters as compared to the other two cities.
by Ravi Agarwal | May 26, 2022 | Publications, Reports, 2021
This study is an indication on the overall status of the mercury-free alternative products in India. It was found that in some of the sectors like health care and lamps, India has made considerable progress in shifting to the alternative products. However, the cost and quality of the products are the major concerns for India considering the wide diversity of the socio-economic class of people living in the country. Further information on the health hazards of mercury is low among the consumers, traders, manufacturers and the workers as well.Another important aspect of the study is that the domestic demand for mercury and mercury-free products are largely met with the import from China. Incidentally the study also reflected that with the ban on export of mercury products from China, business is getting affected particularly of health care instruments like thermometer and sphygmomanometer.Nevertheless, there are industries which are manufacturing mercury-free products in India and with suitable policy and government handholding India can become a manufacturing hub for the mercury-free products.Therefore, it’s the right time for the government to assess the current scenario and act accordingly to make it a mercury-free country and also emerge as a manufacturing hub for mercury-free products.
by Ravi Agarwal | May 26, 2022 | Publications, Reports, 2021
The study titled ‘Clean Drinking Water: A pipe dream?’, which assesses microplastics in tap water in Goa reveals that the drinking water supplied to Goan homes is contaminated with plastics. The study, which assessed tap water from Margao, Panjim, Mapusa, Marcel and Canacona and the water treatment plants in Goa found Microplastic particles in all the water samples and raises concern over increasing microplastic contamination of our water bodies.
by Ravi Agarwal | May 26, 2022 | Publications, Reports, 2015
National Report: Lead in Enamel Household Paints in India 2015 Title: National Report Lead in Enamel Household Paints in india 2015Publication Type: Research ReportsYear of Publication: 2015Abstract: Read...
