Toxic heavy metals plentiful in Bengaluru’s air, finds 2019 study

Pollution

When it came to PM 2.5, the eight-month long air quality study found levels of PM 2.5 in 20 of the 27 samples exceed permissible 24-hour average of 60 μg/m3.

Soumya Chatterjee

News of high amounts of pollutants in a city’s air is never good news. While PM 2.5 and PM 10 are usually the indicators that reports go by, a city-based think tank has found that not only does Bengaluru’s air have high presence of PM 2.5 particles, but also higher than normal concentration of extremely toxic chemicals. Data released on Monday in a report titled ‘Choking in the Garden City’ prepared by Sensing Local, non-governmental think tank, and Healthy Energy Initiative India showed that there were elevated levels of heavy metals in Bengaluru’s air in addition to the prime pollutant. The latter – PM 2.5 – refers to microscopic particulate matter that is less than 2.5 micrometres in size. Particulate matter can penetrate deep into the lung tissue, and affect health negatively. The authors of the report also pointed to the emerging research which indicates higher vulnerability of populations to COVID-19 among those residing in regions with air pollution than those living in places with better air quality. The air pollution data collected by the researchers found the presence of manganese, nickel, lead and crystalline silica in the samples. “The results have demonstrated that the PM 2.5 levels in almost all sites tested exceed the statutory regulations. Presence of toxic chemicals like lead, manganese, nickel indicate that threat to air quality and health is not just from PM 2.5 but from toxic heavy metals that do not get accounted for,” said the report. While manganese and lead are neurotoxins, crystalline silica is a respiratory irritant, and can cause silicosis, a lung disease generally known to only affect people exposed to silica at workplaces. Nickel is a carcinogen and it also affects the respiratory and immune systems in the body. Other key findings of the study are:  a. Levels of PM 2.5 in 20 of the 27 samples exceed the Indian National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) of 60 μg/m3 for 24 hours. b. Levels of manganese in 3 of the 27 samples exceed WHO annual average of 0.15 μg/m3.  c. Levels of nickel in 20 out of 27 samples exceed the WHO’s annual average of 0.0025 μg/m3. d. All 27 samples had elevated levels of crystalline silica, with eight of the 27 samples containing very high levels (above 10 μg/m3). There are no specific standards defined for concentration of silica in air in India or as per WHO. e. For lead, no samples collected exceeded WHO’s annual average of 0.50 μg/m3. However, there is no known safe level of lead in the human body. As part of the study, air quality was measured for April-November 2019 across 27 varied locations in the city (list given below).  The 27 sample were collected from Avenue Road, Bannerghata Road, BBMP Head Office, Bellandur, Bowring Hospital, Haraluru, Hosur Road, two locations in IIM campus (within campus and outside), Indira Nagar 2nd Stage, Indira Nagar Defence Colony, Kalkere, Kengeri (near the railway station), 100ft Road Koramangala, Manyata Residency (inside Manyata tech park), Margosa Road (Malleshwaram), Mysore Road, Peenya, near Pheonix Market City (ITPL Road), Puttenahalli Lake, Residency Road & St Marks Road Junction, Silk Board (Fern Hill Apartments), Victoria Road, Madiwala Market Junction, Vikram Nagar (ISRO Layout), Wheeler Road and Junnasandra gate bus stop (Sarjapur Road). The study was conducted as a collaboration between Sensing Local, Bengaluru, and Healthy Energy Initiative - India between April - November 2019 and was supported by Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives. Ankit Bhargava of Sensing Local, said, “This study is unique because it brings together various stakeholders - the impacted communities, health experts, environmental experts and urban planners to collaboratively work towards identifying the problems of air pollution and finding solutions to it.”  Ankit added, “Given that the data is local, the idea was that citizens would better relate to issues specific to their street/neighbourhood/ward while also recognizing common sources that require city wide action.” You can access the report here.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2ZYW6hC
via IFTTT

DK Shivakumar's official coronation as Karnataka Congress chief put off again

The event, set to be held in June, was postponed due to the government imposing restrictions on political events temporarily over the COVID-19 pandemic.

PTI

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief DK Shivakumar on Monday alleged "political conspiracy" as his official takeover of the party's reigns was postponed for the second time due to the government imposing restrictions on political events temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The official takeover event of KPCC President "Pratigna" was scheduled to take place on June 7. "...We had requested for permission from the Chief Minister, DG of Police and City Police Commissioner to organise the event on June 7, but as per the recent central and state guidelines, political events have been banned," Shivakumar said. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said the event cannot be held on June 7 as planned, for which preparations were on. "Despite requesting permission for about 150 people here and people at different places like panchayats and wards, they did not give us permission. There is a clear political conspiracy behind it...Still respecting the centre and the state government, we will not violate the rules, as we are also lawmakers," he said. Shivakumar, however, appealed to party workers to continue with the preparations, stating that date may change, but the event would be held. "After the government gives permission...maybe after June 8 once the government takes a decision after assessing the situation, it will be held," he added. Over two months after his appointment as Karnataka Congress president, Shivakumar was to take over the reigns of the party officially on May 31, but it was postponed as the government had announced a complete lockdown on Sundays, till the end of the month. After remaining in a virtual vacuum for nearly three months, the party high command on March 11 appointed the six-time MLA, known to be the Congress' chief troubleshooter in crisis situations, replacing Dinesh Gundu Rao as the KPCC chief. Dinesh Gundu Rao had quit the post in December after the party''s dismal show when it won only two of the 15 seats in the bye-polls. Noting that he has been discharging his duties as KPCC chief from the date of his appointment, Shivakumar said he has been guiding the Congress workers in COVID-19 related work with cooperation from all party leaders. "We had planned a symbolic (official takeover) event in the presence of about 150 people here (at party office), and at about 7,800 places- at all panchayats and wards by singing Vande Mataram, reading the preamble of the Constitution and hoisting the national and party flag, and to relay it on TV so that people don't gather," he added. Shivakumar has already announced that in the days to come, he will travel across the state to meet people in distress and 'become their voice'. To a question about senior Congress leader and Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chief H K Patil considering to move a privilege motion against Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri for stalling an inquiry into alleged corruption in the procurement of COVID-19 equipment, he said the matter would be discussed at the CLP (Congress Legislature Party) meeting and along with state leaders. He also sought to know why an inquiry was being stalled by the Speaker.  

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2Xo4K7t
via IFTTT

CM Yediyurappa downplays reports of dissidence in K’taka BJP, says he’s ‘too busy’

This comes after Karnataka MLAs met over dinner and reportedly discussed exerting pressure on him for posts.

TNM Staff

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Monday downplayed reports of dissidence in the ruling party, saying he was "too busy with work". "I am busy with development works of the state and fighting COVID-19, that's why I have decided not to bother about such developments," said Yediyurappa, on the sidelines of an event to mark the first anniversary of Narendra Modi's government at the Centre. He also clarified that he will not even issue a statement about the same. This comes after Karnataka MLAs met over dinner and reportedly discussed exerting pressure on him for posts. Among the leaders who met over dinner were Hukkeri MLA Umesh V Katti, Chitradurga MLA G H Thippareddy, and Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal. Read: Trouble brews in Karnataka BJP as MLAs push for cabinet expansion amid pandemic Sources in the BJP state unit said that Yediyurappa's decision to ignore the dissidence is partly due to the fact that the Centre is unlikely to discuss ministerial posts or a change in leadership during a pandemic.  The dissidence also comes ahead of elections to the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council, the latter of which could be crucial to some leaders getting ministerial posts in the state. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister heaped praise on Modi for completing one year in office in his second term as Prime Minister. Yediyurappa listed several actions Modi took in the last one year such as terminating the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, banning triple talaq, amending the Citizenship Act, the Ayushman Bharat scheme and several others as achievements.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2MhwfJA
via IFTTT

Despite early rush in liquor sales, Karnataka reports drop in revenue for May

Liquor

At the end of May, the Excise Department said that it had collected revenue worth Rs 1387.20 crore.

Soumya Chatterjee

Despite initial days of good business, recent data released by the Karnataka Excise Department has revealed that both the sales and revenue through sale of alcohol have reduced in the state compared to last financial year. At the end of May 2020, the Excise Department said that it has collected a revenue of Rs 1387.20 crore which is 42% the revenue collected on average per month last year. In terms of sales too, the department reported a dip of 54% at Rs 2148.48 compared to last year. It may be recalled that after a gap of nearly two months, alcohol sales had resumed in the state from May 5 and till the end of the month, a total of 44.46 lakh case boxes of liquor were sold while the tally for beer is 12.29 lakh boxes. TNM had reported that there was a bumper sale of alcohol on the first three days, worth Rs 216 crore, which is more than 10% of the revenue from the total sales recorded at the end of month. The second day after resumption of alcohol sales saw sales worth Rs 197 crore. Only Rs 45 crore worth of liquor was sold on the first day as many shops did not open despite the permission. “There is unfortunately no record high sale at the end of the month. We are down to 42% of our revenue compared to last year and 46% of last year’s average volume. The initial spurt in sales are understandable given we were closed for a long period of time. We are short by Rs 1700 crore compared to last year,” Additional Excise Commissioner A Rajendraprasad told TNM. The drop in sales at the end of the month can be partly attributed to bars, pubs and restaurants still being shut as part of the COVID-19 lockdown, and they are the major source of sales, especially for beer. The officer added, “Only about 60% of our licenses are open now but our consumption is 46%; going by that, we should have had 60% of sales but that has not happened. There is no incentive for the customers in terms of lowering prices, but we are reviewing a decision to extend the hours of sales.  At present, sales are only allowed between 9 am and 7 pm in retail stores.  We will slowly try to enable other categories of sellers (like bars, pubs and restaurants).”

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/3cqAGMW
via IFTTT

Karnataka govt announces 120-ft Vivekananda statue near Bengaluru, faces flak

Politics

The Karnataka Congress Chief DK Shivakumar has said that the government should instead look at addressing the COVID-19 related issues being faced by the needy in the state.

TNM Staff

The BJP-led Karnataka government has sparked a row by announcing that they will install a 120-feet-high statue of Swami Vivekananda on the outskirts of Bengaluru. The proposed statue, announced by Housing Minister V Somanna, is to come up about ten kilometres after Bannerghatta National Park, near the Muthyala Maduvu waterfalls in Jigani, on the outskirts of Bengaluru. The minister had said that this statue was inspired by the 597-feet-tall statue of unity – that of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – in Gujarat The opposition has slammed the BJP-led state government over the announcement of the Vivekananda statue. Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) leader, DK Shivakumar said that the state government should instead focus on the COVID-19 related issues that Karnataka is facing right now. Speaking to the media, Shivakumar said, “This BJP government in Karnataka doesn’t have priority on what has to be done. Now it is not the time to build any statue. It is time to sort out the problems of the state. The state has to be developed. Look at the problems of migrants, labourers, farmers and all the sectors.” The opposition leader pointed out that the government should look after the needs of the people instead, saying, “Till today, the CM hasn’t called a meeting of bankers, farmers. Not a single rupee has reached any farmer, labourer or anyone who has been doing their jobs. Not even a single rupee has reached a driver,” the KPPC Chief has said in a statement to a media channel. This comes after the state government has come under fire for wanting to name a flyover in Bengaluru after Veer Sarvakar, a Hindu ideologue. The opposition had termed the move as an “insult” to the freedom fighters of Karnataka. Read Decision to name Bengaluru flyover after Savarkar put on hold amid opposition outcry The Vivekananda statue is set to be built on a three-acre plot that is part of the 1900-acre Prime Minister’s Township, being built by Karnataka Housing Board. Of this, the government has already secured 780 acres. The Yediyurappa-led government has said that the statue, which is also being built by KHB, will help make Muthyala Maduvu into a tourist spot as the place already has waterfalls and is not too far from the Bannerghatta National Park. However, environmental activists have opposed the move to put up the statue so close to the Bannerghatta National Park. The Hindu quoted the noted environmental activist Leo Saldana as saying that the government should not develop the area around Bannerghatta National park into a ‘high density tourist zone’ as it was not advisable. It is to be noted that DK Shivakumar, who has criticised the move, had started the project to install a 114 feet statue of Jesus Christ at Harobele village in Ramanagara. The project ran into controversy after BJP came into power and started a probe into whether the land for the statue was given illegally.    

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2Xm57j4
via IFTTT

Mass protests could undo hard-won progress in pandemic

Testing sites shut down as violence grips cities, risking spread of virus.

from Health Care https://ift.tt/3dpEXl3
via IFTTT

Surgeon general: 'You understand the anger'

“Based on the way the disease spreads, there is every reason to expect that we will see new clusters and potentially new outbreaks moving forward," Jerome Adams said.

from Health Care https://ift.tt/2U3kif0
via IFTTT