Toxics Link

Microplastics contaminating our soil

The plastic used for mulching is leading to soil contamination

Posted on 07 May, 2022 10:33 AM

The excessive use of plastic across multiple sectors is emerging as a major cause of environmental concern due to its non-degradable property and remains being found in various ecosystems. The larger impacts of plastic fragments (microplastics) in various ecosystems are yet to be studied and evaluated for the impact on human health and ecology.

Under a study by Toxics Link soil samples in agricultural belts in Karnataka and Maharashtra were tested and tiny plastic particles were found at various depths (Image: 5Gyres, Oregon State University; Wikimedia Commons, (CC BY-SA 2.0))

Pharma antibiotics polluting Indian rivers, says Toxics Link study

The locations where antibiotic residues are detected are not necessarily in close proximity to major pharmaceutical industrial hubs

Posted on 17 Mar, 2022 06:52 PM

A new study by Toxics Link, 'Menace of Antibiotic Pollution in Indian Rivers' has found that rivers are now prone to pollution from antibiotic residues.

Antibiotic residues in rivers can worsen the problem of antimicrobial resistance (Image: PxHere; CC-0)

Ganga, a sink of microplastics

A study by Toxics Link reveals that Ganga is heavily polluted by microplastics, the highest concentration being at Varanasi.

Posted on 25 Jul, 2021 01:28 PM

A new study by the Delhi-based environment NGO Toxics Link reveals the presence of microplastics in all samples collected from the river at Haridwar, Kanpur and Varanasi.

Cleaning efforts on the Ganga has so far focussed on focussed on creating sewage treatment capacities in the major urban centres along the river. (Image: Richard IJzermans, Flickr Commons, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Toxic chemicals: A barrier to safe drinking water

Nonylphenol and its ethoxylates in drinking water: A health challenge

Posted on 22 Jun, 2021 04:22 PM

A drinking water quality, testing, monitoring and surveillance framework was released by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in March 2021 as a part of the government’s flagship Nal se Jal scheme.

Water treatment facilities are incapable of removing many chemical compounds and need to be upgraded (Image: PxHere)

Holistic approach needed to clean the Ganga

A report by the India Rivers Forum highlights the need to focus further than the main stem of the Ganga river.

WWF

INTACH

SANDRP

Peoples’ Science Institute

PEACE Institute

Posted on 06 Dec, 2019 10:39 AM

The National Mission for Cleaning Ganga was set up in 2014 and the Namami Gange programme was launched the year after, with a budget outlay of Rs. 20,000 crore. The implementation of the flagship programme was followed by the framing of a draft National River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Bill, 2019 to be introduced in the winter session of Parliament.

Distant snow clad mountains, the smaller hills and the Ganga river (Image: Srimoyee Banerjee, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

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