Cancer in clouds! Your next trip to hill stations can damage your kidney, liver, lungs, and even brain
toxic metals
in the clouds over the Western Ghats and Eastern Himalayas—exposure to which could potentially cause cancer and other serious health issues.
Published in
Science Advances
, the study reveals that clouds over the Eastern Himalayas carry 1.5 times more pollution than usual, with a 40–60% higher concentration of toxic metals such as cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn). These pollutants are linked to a range of both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks.
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"Prolonged exposure to these toxic metals can lead to chronic conditions affecting the kidney, liver, lungs, brain, and cardiovascular system," warns the study. "Inhalation of chromium (Cr) is associated with non-cancerous diseases such as asthma, pneumonia, and bronchitis. However, long-term inhalation of Cd, Cr, and nickel (Ni) significantly increases the risk of lung cancer in humans."
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Children are especially vulnerable. The study warns that kids in India are at 30% higher risk of exposure to these toxic metals compared to adults.
Cloud water samples analyzed in the study were collected from non-precipitating, low-level clouds in Mahabaleshwar (Western Ghats) and Darjeeling (Eastern Himalayas). These clouds were found to be alkaline, with pH values ranging from 6.2 to 6.8 in Mahabaleshwar and 6.5 to 7.0 in Darjeeling.
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What's Causing This Pollution?
According to researchers from the Bose Institute—an autonomous organization under the Department of Science and Technology (DST)—the main culprits behind this contamination are traffic emissions, fossil fuel burning, and urban waste incineration. Road dust and soil erosion are also contributing significantly to the accumulation of toxic metals in clouds.
The findings raise serious concerns about the long-term health implications of spending extended periods in these otherwise serene hill regions during the monsoon season.
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