20-Sep-2019: Our detergents have a hazardous chemical in them
The detergents may have a harmful chemical called Nonylphenol (NP) which is banned in several countries or is being phased out owing to its harmful effects on humans and aquatic organisms.
In a study conducted by New Delhi-based non-profit Toxics Link, twelve detergent samples were analysed. All of the analysed samples detected Nonylphenol in the concentration which varied between 0.82 and 11.92 weight per cent age. Others had concentration of 2.06, 11.5, 4.29, 1.15, 0.82, 0.93, 1.43, 0.25, 0.91, 1.04 and 1.31 by weight per cent age.
The concentration in the detergent samples was found to be very high in products of international corporations, while ironically, they have declared their products to be nonylphenol free in other countries. This study, thus indicate that while they have one parameter for other countries, they have different for India.
NP is a persistent, toxic, bio-accumulative chemical which acts as a hormone disruptor and can be responsible for a number of human health effects. Many studies earlier have confirmed the human health impacts of Nonylphenol, including the fact that it may be carcinogenic,
Besides, its exposure through water, soil and food crops may result in a burning sensation, cough, laboured breathing, sore throat, unconsciousness, skin irritation and burns. Upon ingestion, it may cause abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea and sore throat. It is also toxic for aquatic animals.
Nonylphenol has amphiphilic properties and is substantially used as a surfactant in the textile industry. Therefore, Nonylphenol is being reportedly found in garments produced all over the globe.
As part of the research, water samples were also collected from two different locations of four different rivers (point one and point two of each of the four rivers) to understand the impact of anthropogenic activities on Nonylphenol concentration.
Point one of the river was chosen as a point before and point two as the point after the anthropogenic activity (washing of clothes, industrial discharge, etc.).
The more the anthropogenic activities, more the nonylphenol concentration at the second point. In the Tapti river, there was an increase in NP concentration of 2.5 ppm between the two points.
The rivers Krishna and Ganga depicted similar types of results. But a very high difference was observed at the Bandi River, 41.27 ppm of Nonylphenol at the second point which was accounting for an increase of 26.28 ppm from the first point.
Such high concentration at second point of the Bandi perhaps attributes to the industrial discharge from the textile industries located near the river. And it is to be noted that Nonylphenol is used extensively in textile industries.
Besides, four other surface water samples were also analysed. Two out of four samples were collected from the Hindon river in Meerut and the Mahanadi river in Odisha. The third sample was from Ambazari lake, Nagpur. Nonylphenol was observed in all analysed samples. The concentration of Nonylphenol varied between 13.94 ppm and 26.65 ppm. The highest concentration was observed in the Hindon while the lowest concentration was observed in the lake water sample.
The Bureau of Industry Standards (BIS) has set the standard of phenolic compounds for drinking water (0.001 mg/L) and surface water (5.0 mg/L). However, unlike other countries, India does not have specific standards for Nonylphenol in drinking water and surface water.
In the Toxics Link study, the concentration of Nonylphenol was found to be as much as eight times more than the prescribed BIS standard for phenolic compounds and over 100 times as compared to the US EPA safety standard for water quality criteria.
The use of nonylphenol in detergents must be banned as it is a major source of environmental contamination. Also, there is no data at present as to how much this chemical is being used in different sectors in the country, so we need to have an inventory.
10-Sep-2019: Maize crops falling victim to fall armyworm in Bihar
Maize crops are falling prey to the deadly Fall Armyworm (FAW) in Bihar, India’s third-largest corn producer. There are officials reports of FAW attacks on maize crops from the districts of Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Saran and Sheohar. But unconfirmed reports also suggest presence of FAW in other maize-growing districts of north Bihar.
FAW was first detected by entomologists C M Kalleshwara Swamy and Sharanabasappa in maize fields at the University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shimoga, in Karnataka last year. It is an invasive and polyphagous (feeding on many foods) pest. It can attack cereals and forage grasses. The deadly pest has since spread across many states in the country.
Last year, FAW was detected at a few places in Bihar, but maize crops were not infected. This year though, things are different. Thousands of maize-growing farmers in Muzaffarpur and neighbouring districts are worried about the latest attacks of FAW.
A team of experts including agriculture scientists from Patna had visited Gaighat last week after the pest attack to study the worm and suggest measures to tackle it.
According to official numbers, Bihar has a high maize productivity of 3,904 kg/ha, which is more than the national average of 2,889 kg/ha. Bihar has witnessed a visible growth in maize production in the past decade.
The state produced 1.36 million tonnes of the crop in 2005-06. This increased to 3.85 million tonnes in 2016-17, as the high-yielding maize of Rabi season has been replacing winter wheat and paddy in the state.
25-Jun-2019: Government is taking several steps to control the spread of Fall Army Worm
The Department has taken note of Fall Army Worm (FAW) infestation in the country. The infestation has been found primarily on maize and to a small extent on Ragi and Sorghum.
The Department has taken following steps to control the spread of Fall Army Worm (FAW):-
- The Indian Council of Agriculture Research has prepared a detailed Package of Practices (POP) against FAW in Maize crop. The POP, inter-alia, contains mechanical, cultural, biological and chemical measures to control FAW. The POP has been circulated to all the States for its implementation. Timely advisories are being issued regularly to State Departments of Agriculture to adopt preventive measures.
- A High Power Committee (HPC) has been constituted, headed by the Secretary (DAC&FW) and Secretary (DARE) to review the status and to recommend appropriate strategies. Based on the recommendations of the HPC, various Sub-Committees have also been constituted in the State of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar and Rajasthan States, which are headed by the Director / Commissioner of Agriculture / Principal Secretary of the respective State.
- Regular surveys, surveillance and monitoring were conducted by the Central Integrated Pest Management Centres (CIPMCs) in collaboration with the State Department of Agriculture, SAUs and ICAR etc. Further, awareness programmes for the farmers were organized to advise them to adopt cultural and farm practices.
- Certain Bio-control Agents have found effective against FAW. Mass production of these bio-control agents has been promoted.
5-May-2019: Fall armyworm: An insect that can travel 100 km per night & the threat it poses for farmers
First reported in India last year, the Fall Armyworm (FAW) or Spodoptera frugiperda has become a major problem for farmers this year, with the pest hitting the production of the crop.
More than 50 per cent of the country, including Mizoram, has reported cases of FAW infestation this year. Ahead of the new kharif season, FAW poses a serious challenge before farmers due to lack of knowledge about the pest and lack of clarity on how to tackle it. If these problems are not addressed urgently, vast tracts of crops can be laid to waste by this pest.
A native of the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the Americas, FAW was first detected in the African continent in 2016. Since then, it has spread to other countries such as China, Thailand, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. It was reported in India for the first time last year, when it affected crops in Karnataka. Within a span of only six months, almost 50 per cent of the country, including Mizoram, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and West Bengal, has reported FAW infestations.
In its 45-day-long lifecycle, the female moth of this pest lays around 1,500-2,000 eggs on the top of leaves. In the roughly 30-day larval stage, the caterpillar goes through six stages of development or instars. This is the most dangerous part of the lifecycle as the caterpillar feeds on leaves, whorls, stalks and flowers of crop plants. Once this stage is completed, the growing moth pupates in the soil — for 8-9 days in summer and 20-30 days in cold weather. The nocturnal egg-laying adults live for about 10 days, during which they migrate long distances.
What makes FAW dangerous is the polyphagous (ability to feed on different kinds of food) nature of the caterpillar and the ability of the adult moth to fly more than 100 km per night.
Given its ability to feed on multiple crops — nearly 80 different crops ranging from maize to sugarcane — FAW can attack multiple crops. Similarly, it can spread across large tracts of land as it can fly over large distances. This explains the quick spread of the pest across India.
Till date, India has reported FAW infestation on maize, sorghum (jowar) and sugarcane crops. Maize has been the worst affected as most maize-growing states in southern India have been affected by the pest. FAW infestation and drought has led to a shortfall of nearly 5 lakh tonnes in output, prompting the central government to allow import of maize under concessional duty. Maize is the third most important cereal crop grown in the country and the infestation, if not checked in time, can wreak havoc.
The Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC) — which recommends usage of pesticides during infestations — is yet to come up with recommendations to control the spread of FAW as the pest is still relatively unknown in these parts.
Last year, as reports of FAW infestations started pouring in from across the country, the CIBRC had allowed spraying of select insecticides/formulations — Carbofuran, Phorate, Thiamethoxam (12.6%) plus Lambda-cyhalothrin (9.5%), and Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% suspension concentrate — on a trial basis. The sanction has since lapsed although the CIBRC has formed a committee to come up with such ad-hoc recommendations.
Most entomologists have suggested the Integrated Pest Management system to control the pest. This would involve constant surveillance of the pest during its vegetative growth phase and taking measures like mechanically destroying the egg masses and using pheromone traps to catch the insects. Pheromone traps are devices which are used to attract male insects by luring them with female pheromones. Farmers should also be discouraged from taking up staggered sowing, as this would allow the pest to have multiple reservations for growth.
20-Aug-2019: IIT Hyderabad scientists convert fly ash into waterproofing material
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT H) have found that fly ash — waste byproduct of power plants that poses a threat to the environment — can be modified into a waterproofing material. The researchers have converted fly ash into a water proofing material by treating it with stearic acid, which is commonly used in soaps and shampoos.
Stearic acid is a surface active agent whose key ingredient binds to dirt particles during the process of washing, while its hydrophobic or water-repelling part remains free. As a result, dirt particles bound with stearic acid separate out just like oil separates from water. Using this binding ability of stearic acid, researchers have developed superhydrophobic fly ash particles.
In the case of fly ash-based waterproofing material, the activity varied according to the type of fly ash used. It was found that when fly ash with varying sizes and shapes was used, it produced superhydrophobic material that behaved like a lotus leaf. Water did not roll away immediately. This happens when hydrophobic particles of different sizes pack together to form surface with pits and mound on very small length scale. When water droplet sits on top of such surface, it cannot wet these small pits and the trapped air facilitates rolling.
In contrast, when fly ash was segregated into particles with almost similar shape and size, it behaved like a rose petal. The material pinned down water molecules. It neither absorbed the water nor let it fall down even when the material was turned upside down.
In this also there are pit and mound at small length scale but they are large enough so that water can penetrate the pits easily.
The new material is highly cost-effective. While the fly ash itself is after all merely a waste, stearic acid is also not an expensive chemical. The synthesis process is so simple that even an untrained individual can prepare these superhydrophobic materials with ease.
27-Nov-2018: NGT to fine thermal plants over fly ash
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed penalties of up to ₹5 crore on thermal power plants that have not fully disposed of the fly ash they generated.
According to an NGT order, the “environmental damages” for not meeting the 100% fly ash disposal criterion will have to be deposited with the Central Pollution Control Board in a month, failing which these power plants will have to pay interest of 12% per annum. This makes it legally binding for all thermal power plants to ensure complete disposal of or utilization of fly ash immediately.
The order is significant because of the high contribution of fly ash to air and water pollution and its impact on crops being grown in villages around these plants. A union environment ministry notification dated November 3, 2011, states that thermal power plants commissioned before the date of the notification will have to ensure 100% fly ash utilisation in five years.
Those commissioned after the notification have to ensure 100% compliance within four years of the date of commissioning.
An earlier notification dated September 14, 1999, requires manufacturers of clay bricks, tiles or construction activities to mix at least 25% of fly ash so that full disposal can be achieved in nine years. This was amended in 2016 and the date for full utilization of fly ash was extended to December 31, 2017.
Fly ash is a major source of PM 2.5 (fine, respirable pollution particles) in summer. It becomes air borne, and gets transported to a radius of 10 to 20 kms. It can settle on water and other surfaces. Fly ash contains heavy metals from coal, a large amount of PM 2.5 and black carbon (BC). Proper disposal of fly ash is still not happening in many places.