PANAJI
The Goa government has denied the fact that an NIO study, reported first by this paper, has found high levels of cadmium in edible oysters found in River Zuari.
In response to a listed question, tabled by Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho who asked: “whether it is a fact that NIO study has found very high levels of cadmium in Zuari edible oysters i.e. upto five times above permissible limits,” Environment Minister Rajendra Arlekar replied in the negative.
The Goan had first reported, citing a study by researcher at NIO (a copy of which is with The Goan) that edible oysters collected from the Zuari bay at Agassaim were found to have a high presence of the heavy metal cadmium in some cases up to five times the permitted concentration.
“The permitted cadmium for edible oysters is 2 mg per kg according to the US standards and 1 mg per kg according to Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong standards. However, our study shows that cadmium in oysters found in the Zuari bay ranges between 3.2 mg per kg to 11.8 mg per kg,” the study had revealed.
In response to further questions by Godinho on whether the government is aware of the ill effects of this high level of cadmium in edible oysters, Arlekar said, “such specific details are not available with the Department of Environment.”
Arlekar hasn’t offered any response to the question on the time bound steps government intends to take for people-oriented awareness drive and to investigate the reasons for the high level of cadmium in edible oysters in River Zuari.
All he said was, “The investigations are yet to be carried out by CSIR-NIO.”
Cadmium in one’s diet can accumulate in the liver or kidney causing complications. Smokers are at a bigger risk as cadmium in diet along with that found in cigarettes is a deadly combination.
Oysters are considered a delicacy in Goa and are relished often dry fried with medium spice. The news that they have high amounts of cadmium may not go down well with the local populace.
Oysters are harvested mainly in the Zuari river especially along the shallow waters off the Cortalim, Chicalim and Agassaim villages. The bay is already facing stress from shipyards and other marine traffic besides being in close proximity to the Mormugao port.
