Bengaluru, Pay Attention! Cabbage, Cucumber, Capsicum to Beetroot; Vegetables May Carry High Lead Levels

Bengaluru News: Freshly prepared home-cooked food may not be healthy anymore for Bengalurians, as vegetables like cabbage, cucumber, capsicum, beetroot, and leafy greens, most of them, may be contaminated with high levels of lead in Bengaluru.
Nearly 26% of the food samples collected by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) from prominent markets in Bengaluru, including Nelamangala, Rajajinagar, Kolar, etc, were found to have high levels of lead, reported Deccan Herald.

As per a DH report, CPCB had set up a five-member committee that collected 72 samples of vegetables like capsicum, cucumber, cabbage, and beetroot. Out of the total samples, 53 were taken from key Bengaluru markets whereas the rest of them were collected from agriculture fields in Kolar, Chikkaballapur, and other areas.

The analysis by the committee comprising Central and state authorities confirmed the presence of lead which is a highly toxic metal. The samples collected also contain high amount of other heavy metals and even pesticides.

Over 26% Samples Found Contaminated

A total of 19 samples out of 72 collected for the study contained high amount of leads. The metal was present in higher amounts, which is higher than the prescribed limits as per the results of the test conducted in a FSSAI approved laboratory. As per report, levels of lead exceeded the limits set by the Food Safety and Standards Regulations (FSSR).

The study had collected sample of brinjal, branded as organic. The vegetable had around 1.953 mg/kg of lead, which is significantly higher than the permissible limit of 0.1 mg/kg. Apart from organic brinjal, levels of the metal was nearly 18 times higher than the limit in little gourds, nine times higher in flat beans, five times higher in leafy greens and cabbage samples.

Additionally, cabbage, cucumber, ridge gourd, capsicum, beetroot, bitter gourd, turnip, squash, and chilli bajji were also among the samples that were found to have high levels of lead.

Side-Effects of Lead Contamination

Lead exposure is linked to serious health damage across several organs and was associated with more than 1.5 million deaths worldwide in 2021, mainly from cardiovascular disease, according to World Health Organisation. Young children and women of child-bearing age face greater risk because even low levels can disrupt vital body functions.

Once lead enters the body, it travels to the brain, liver, kidneys and bones, then builds up in bones and teeth over time. During pregnancy, stored lead moves from bone into the bloodstream and exposes the developing fetus. Doctors usually assess human exposure by measuring the amount of lead in blood.