Jammu, May 28 (KNS): Voice for Right, a Non Government Organisation today appealed the Jammu and Kashmir Government to immediately ban the artificial ripening of fruits using Calcium Carbide, which poses serious health hazards.
According to KNS, the NGO has sought an immediate ban on the use of toxic chemicals like Calcium carbide for the ripening of fruits in Jammu and Kashmir, which is being rampantly used by fruit traders without any or minimal check.
“We have given them (Govt) ten days of time to take action against this menace and if they fail to stop it, we will approach the court,” said Voice for Rights advisory member-Pardeep Singh Bali.
He said that the appeal also sought setting up of a permanent checking mechanism at Lakhanpur Toll Plaza, Cross LoC Trade Centers at Chakkan Da Bagh and Aman Setu for monitoring the residues of impermissible/toxic chemicals/ pesticides in fruits and vegetables being imported from Punjab, other parts of the country and from Pakistan.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Highlighting the hazards of calcium carbide, Voice for Rights member said that Carbide ripened fruits on consumption cause several harmful effects to human health.
“CaC2 has cancer causing properties and contains traces of arsenic and phosphorous hydride. The early symptoms of arsenic or phosphorous poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea with or without blood, burning sensation of chest and abdomen, thirst, weakness, difficulty in swallowing, irritation or burning in the eyes and skin, permanent eye damage, ulcers on the skin, sore throat, cough and shortness of breath,” he said. (KNS)