THIS is apropos your editorial ‘Mercury poisoning’ (Jan 2). Use of chemicals have increased with the emergence and popularity of new technology.

Improper storage and the handling of chemicals need special care. Improper use and storage of agro and industrial chemicals cause leaching and contamination of sub-soil water.

The increasing use of tube wells and wells bored in houses to meet water requirement is a serious threat to life.

The use of sophisticated equipment may concern professionals who are highly educated. Such people may take informed decisions at personal and organisational levels.

However, household products like energy savers and thermometers, which are widely used in Pakistan, if broken, cause rapid mercury poisoning owing to the inhalation of mercury vapours.

Therefore, awareness programmes should address citizens, particularly housewives. If housewives are proactive they can act as an effective barrier to ensure a safe disposal of such equipment.

In our country, all such items are import-based. Therefore, the environment protecting agencies (EPAs) should make it mandatory to have safety instructions on such products. Energy savers retail packs should warn consumers and technicians of hazards involved.

Importers of all such items should fulfill their corporate social responsibility by sharing safety precautions with garbage collecting agencies, hospitals and interest groups.

The EPAs should also monitor the licensing of warehouses and retail outlets. Government agencies like the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research should coordinate with soil-testing agencies, building contractors and water-testing laboratories.

They should also conduct city-wise and area-wise subsoil water mapping in major towns and around industrial clusters and farms where chemicals are stored.

S. Sultan Raza

Karachi

Published in Dawn January 24th, 2017