UNEP

Still active
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has found three sites in Bosnia-Herzegovina that were targeted with weapons containing depleted uranium (DU) during the mid-1990s to be still radioactive enough to pose a risk to human health. A by-product of nuclear power, depleted uranium has been used in heavy tank armour, anti-tank munitions, missiles and projectiles. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), DU has 60 per cent of the radioactivity of natural uranium and "significant chemical toxicity." More than 10,000 rounds of DU ammunition were fired during the air strikes in 1994 and 1995. Around 200 environmental samples - including 47 surface soil samples, three full soil profiles, three penetrators, one full DU bullet, 24 airsamples, 42 water samples, and samples of lichen, bark, moss, mushroom and vegetables were taken and analysed for radioactivity and toxicity at laboratories in Switzerland, Italy and the United Kingdom. Two of the sites - the Hadzici tank repair facility and the Han Pijesak barracks — have not been cleaned of radioactive materials and dust although people are working in these facilities. The UNEP recommends the decontamination of buildings in these three sites as the first precautionary step to avoid unnecessary health implications.

Fat, fatter, fattest
Studies conducted in affluent schools of Delhi point out to an increase trend in obesity in school going children. Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research studied 750 children in the age group of 10 years and found that 22 per cent were overweight. The prevalence of obesity has been found to be more common in boys; perhaps girls at that growing age are more obsessed with image building rather than food. Refractive error was also on the increase with 35 per cent of the children having a subnormal visual acuity of 6/9 or less. A high incidence of dental caries was also found with nearly 40 per cent of the school children having dental problems like caries and gum infections related to poor oral hygiene. The study points out to the increased consumption of sugary and junk foods as one of the major contributory factors to the rise in obesity. Umesh Kapil, additional professor, department of gastroenterology and human nutrition at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New


Delhi, who conducted a similar study says, "Changing lifestyle patterns has made fast food a necessity of our lives. This has however to be balanced with exercise, which is sadly lacking in today's children." Growing sedentary lifestyle, coupled with overprotective parents, more disposable income, and nuclear families with both parents working — all contribute to the increase in obesity amongst growing children.

Operation clean up
Finally after nearly 18 years of the Bhopal tragedy, the toxic waste still lying at the Union Carbide site is to be cleaned up. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will undertake the clean up and already Rs 50 crore has been allotted towards the clean up operations. The toxic waste still around is causing severe contamination of the soil and water table. Vegetables grown in the area have been found to have high levels of pesticides due to the contaminated water. In this operation, Union Carbide's machinery would be decommissioned and the solar evaporation tank and land would be "secured." With plans to construct a reservoir, a pump house and lay pipelines, the state government is also increasing the supply of safe drinking water to Bhopal's 36 affected wards.