“A scientific analysis done by Greenpeace India has found “high and alarming” levels of cancer causing heavy metals inside the classrooms of different schools across Delhi between October to November last year.
Noting an “urgent” need for a comprehensive regional clean action plan to reduce air pollution in the north Indian region, the green body asserted that till such measures are initiated, the government should take precautionary steps including shutting schools.
The Greenpeace India report released on Thursday showed that the samples collected and tested inside the classrooms had alarming levels of heavy metal presence on days when PM 2.5 concentrations were higher than the prescribed levels.
“PM 2.5 concentrations from monitors installed inside the classrooms showed indoor air quality five times above the Indian safety limits and as much as 11 times above the World Health Organisation’s safety limits, taking the average to 293 ( g/m3).
“The same samples when tested for elemental composition of PM2.5 showed the presence of dangerous levels of heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and nickel which are carcinogenic and detrimental to health,” the green NGO said.” The Hindu. Read it on delhiair.org.
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