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Woman washes hair in Yamuna with poisonous, dangerous foam; Know that pollution continues in Delhi-NCR due to serious health effects.
In a viral video, a woman was seen taking a bath in the Yamuna, while poisonous foam was floating around her. At one point, she even used the suds as soap to shampoo her hair. The foam has become an annual phenomenon – experts say it is extremely polluted and toxic and can lead to various life-threatening and dangerous conditions like respiratory problems, bacterial infections, skin allergies and even cancer . Read on to know more.
A video of a woman going viral on social media has not only angered netizens but also raised questions on the ignorance and lack of awareness of officials about the increasing pollution (Photo: X/mrjethvani_)
Amid Chhath Puja festivities in the National Capital Region, a woman was seen washing her hair in toxic foam that has covered the entire surface of the Yamuna river, with other devotees taking a dip in the contaminated water.
A video of a woman going viral on social media has not only angered netizens but also raised questions on the ignorance and lack of awareness of officials about the increasing pollution in Delhi-NCR, which can lead to dangerous diseases and conditions. Are.
According to experts, frothing has become an annual phenomenon during the winter months, while AQI levels have crossed 400 in many parts of the city in the national capital.
What was the woman doing?
In the video, the woman was seen bathing in the Yamuna, while poisonous foam was floating around her. She then began using the suds as soap to shampoo her hair, with four other women doing the same while surrounded by the suds and standing in the poisoned water.
What is the reason for foam in Yamuna?
According to a study by IIT Kanpur, foam is formed in the river due to high levels of untreated sewage and the industrial pollutants that come with it. Scientists say it is a seasonal phenomenon, and the foam contains detergents containing phosphates and surfactants from residential and industrial waste.
When these chemicals are released into the river, they reduce the surface tension of the water, causing foam to form. The increasing amount of untreated sewage further compounds the problem.
Health hazards due to scum, foam and river pollution
Experts say the foam is posing a significant threat to water quality, aquatic life and the overall health of the ecosystem. Excessive organic pollutants lead to eutrophication – which causes algal blooms. And so, when these algae start to decompose, they use up the oxygen in the water, causing hypoxia, which further degrades the water quality and destroys aquatic life.
Algal blooms caused by an excess of nutrients also produce toxins, endangering aquatic life and making the water unsafe for human use. Polluted water causes serious health risks to humans because the water contains heavy metals and pesticides. Coming in contact with such water can cause:
- skin irritation
- gastrointestinal problems
- cancer
- eye allergies
According to experts, Yamuna water is not suitable for drinking or even bathing. Even taking the dip can cause gastrointestinal diseases that are life-threatening due to high levels of bacteria like E. coli.
Pulmonary doctors say that exposure to water can cause immediate side effects like fungal infections and respiratory problems.
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