A startling study by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has sent shockwaves through Bengaluru, revealing that 26 per cent of the city’s vegetable samples are contaminated with lead far exceeding
safety limits. The report, commissioned following directives from the National Green Tribunal, paints a grim picture of the local food chain, suggesting that the very staples millions rely on for nutrition have become a vehicle for heavy metal toxicity. Dr Kaushik Subramanian, a specialist physician, highlighted the irony of modern medical advice in light of these findings, noting that while doctors consistently tell patients to “eat nutritious food,” the “problem itself is in that food,” which elevates the situation to a serious public health crisis.
The laboratory analysis of 72 samples collected from key agricultural hubs including Nelamangala, Kolar, and Chikkaballapura, as well as major retail outlets like HOPCOMS and the APMC markets, uncovered alarming concentrations of toxins. Among the 19 varieties that failed safety standards, some showed lead levels many times higher than the legal limit. Brinjals were found to contain up to 20 times the permissible lead level, while Little Gourd and Flat Beans recorded contamination levels 18 and 9 times above the limit, respectively. Dr Subramanian warned that the impact of consuming such produce is not immediate, describing the contamination as a “slow poison” where harmful elements do not show instant effects but pose a severe threat to the “next generation, especially the children growing up now.”
Beyond lead, the investigation identified a systemic pollution crisis, finding 12 varieties of toxic pesticide residues in the vegetables and heavy saturation of copper, zinc, and iron in 23 out of 26 soil samples. Addressing common domestic remedies, Dr Subramanian clarified that popular methods like soaking produce in salt water only remove surface-level chemicals and “does not remove the pesticides that have already entered inside.” While he acknowledged that such cleaning is still beneficial to reduce concentration, he emphasised that the root of the issue lies in the soil and water systems. “When they reach our age, they may face serious health problems,” he remarked regarding the long-term risks for today’s youth.
In response to the findings, the medical community is calling for urgent systemic changes rather than just individual precautions.
While Dr Subramanian noted that maintaining a small terrace garden is “one step forward,” he admitted it is often not practical for the general population. Instead, he pointed toward the government’s role in creating awareness and conducting seminars for farmers on the “correct methods of application” and proper concentrations of pesticides. The report serves as a critical wake-up call for authorities to address the environmental degradation of the regions that feed Karnataka’s capital to ensure that future generations can remain safe.
