Post immersion, City lakes turn poisonous

Pollutant levels in City lakes have gone up following the immersion of Ganesha idols in the recent days.

The extensive campaign for use of eco-friendly Ganesha idols seems to have had little impact, according to data released by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) indicate.

Analysis reports of the lake water samples reveal that their pH value increased to 1 from 0.6, an increase of seven to eight per cent, after the immersion of idols.

The value for Dissolved Oxygen (DO) came down by 25 per cent, endangering aquatic life. Last year, the pH of Lalbagh Lake water went up to 8.1 from 6.6 after immersions while it increased to 8.4 from 7.8, this year.

High toxicity

The metals in the paints used on idols contain lead, chromium, cadmium, nickel and manganese which cause a variety of health problems like neurological damage, cardiovascular effects, toxicity, skin allergies, liver and kidney damage.

Plaster of Paris, used in making the idols, is only partially soluble, and remains undissolved in water for months together.

The classification of lakes has come a notch down — from ‘C’ to ‘D,’this year following immersion of the idols.