Although less than five cases of thyroid cancer in children were reported between 1986 and 1989, the number increased to 29 in 1990, 51 cases in 1991 and 62 in 1992. No such clear evidence has however been found in the case of leukaemia. A new disease in the form of ‘Chernobyl AIDS’ has made its appearance wherein the radiation leads to the breakdown of the immune system, loss of hearing and the build up of fluid in children’s heads.

Smoggy California
California is one of the smoggiest states of the USA. Tonnes of toxic emissions get released each year in California. These emissions include a cocktail of industrial and chemical solvents. This hazardous mixture can cause cancer, reproductive harm and neurological damage. Children are most vulnerable. With the amount of pollutants present in the air, a 18 year adolescent inhales enough contaminations to exceed the acceptable exposure level by almost hundred times.

Children being more active inhale relatively more air than adults. Since their immune system is also yet to be developed, their cells are more vulnerable to attack by carcinogens. In Los Angeles alone, toxic air contaminants cause 720 cancer cases per million people annually. The recent report of the EPA clearly shows that diesel exhaust can cause cancer. The diesel health impact assessment report recently released recommends reduction of tailpipe emissions by requiring cleaner-burning engines and replacing diesel fuel with ultra-low sulphur content diesel. ``Overall, the evidence for a potential cancer hazard to humans resulting from chronic inhalation exposure to (diesel emissions) is persuasive,’’ says the health impact report released by the EPA.

Heart risks
The September issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association reports on how polluted air is more harmful for those suffering from heart diseases. According to Juha Pekkanen, senior researcher at the National Public Health Institute, Unit of Environmental Epidemiology in Kuopio, Finland, people with heart disease are about three times more likely to have ischemia (decreased oxygen supply to heart muscle) during exercise testing after being exposed to high level air pollution. The main culprit was particulate matter having diameter less than 2.5 micrometers and even ultra-fine particulate matter, having a diameter less than 0.1 micrometers.

Monitoring the electrocardiogram (ECG) of 41 residents of Helsinki,the study found that 23 patients experienced exercise associated symptoms when air pollution was high two days before a clinic visit. Avoiding outdoor exercise on hazy days could be one way of staying off the risk of ischemia.

Plumbing matters
The corrosion of metallic plumbing materials carrying drinking water produces environmental problems. Corrosion has an effect on the water quality, it changes the taste of water and gives rise to unpleasant odour. It is the growth of microbes or leaching of contaminants from the metallic, plastic or concrete plumbing that is a cause of concern. Holes caused in water pipes due to corrosion allow the influx of contaminants into drinking water systems.

Capital air
Delhi can now breathe easy. Stars can be seen in the sky. A 25 per cent reduction has been noticed in pollution levels of the capital. According to Dilip Biswas, chairman of the Central Pollution Control Board, average particulate matter in the air dropped to 347 microgrammes per cubic metre in 2001 as compared to 405 microgrammes in 2000. Sulphur dioxide levels have come down to 14 microgrammes from 18 microgrammes and nitrogen dioxide levels now stand at 34 microgrammes as against 36 microgrammes in 2000.