PANAJI
A study done by ‘Toxic Links’, a Delhi-based NGO which used resources including laboratories and a scientist from NIO as a lead investigator, has found tap water in Mapusa, Panaji and Margao among other places to contain alarming micro-plastics and has recommended a detailed investigative study.
Samples taken from the piped supply of water from these three cities and two rural areas of Marcel and Canacona showed the presence of microplastics that are hazardous.
Dr Mahua Saha, a scientist with the NIO was the ‘Principal Investigator’ for the study which found the tap water supplied in Mapusa to be contaminated most with microplastics.
According to Toxics Link, hazardous microplastics were also found in the sources of water at Assonora, Opa and Selaulim. It added that the study which is very preliminary in nature warrants were more detailed exercise to investigate extensively the extent of contamination of water sources across Goa with the hazardous micro-plastics.
A previous study conducted by Dr Mahua on microplastics showed shellfish and finfish samples picked up from River Sal contaminated.
Such studies periodically carried by NIO have in the past found river waters contaminated with pollutants including the highly poisonous Arsenic which in turn infiltrated marine life including clams and oysters, widely consumed in the State.
Long-term exposure to arsenic from drinking water and food can cause cancer and skin lesions.
The presence of microplastics in treated water raises serious questions about the effectiveness of municipal treatment plants for removing plastic contamination.
The research team also found more MPs in tap water samples compared to the water coming out from wastewater treatment plants, which according to the researchers could be because of transportation of treated water through PVC pipes.
Though microplastic impact on human health is still being researched; once ingested, there is the potential for exposure to chemical contaminants adsorbed to the microplastics and any other additives in microplastics. These chemicals are bound to have adverse impacts on human health”, said Priti Mahesh, one of the researchers from Toxics Link.
