Live
- Rizwan Rested for Final T20I: Agha to Lead Pakistan in Hobart
- Man kills mother-in-law, injures wife and sister-in-law in J&K's Udhampur
- Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25: Abhishek Nayar, Morne Morkel happy with Indian cricket team’s match simulation sessions
- 21 arrests till Monday in Bengal tablet scam: Police
- Satiwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty back in action in China Masters Super 750 tournament
- Congress believes in gaining power through polarisation: Naqvi on Revanth's Muslim quota remark
- Telangana Allocates Rs. 127.65 Crore for Vemulawada Rajarajeswara Temple
- Supreme Court puts on hold order requesting President to decide on Balwant Singh Rajoana’s mercy plea
- Gifts for Dad, Husband, Brother: Men’s Day Edition
- Men’s Day Gift Guide: Timeless Jewellery Pieces from & FNP & Jewelbox to Elevate His Style
Dangerous practice
When calcium carbide compound’s two main products – acetylene, a colourless gas widely used as fuel, and calcium cyanamide used as fertilizer - come into contact with water, it produces acetylene gas that hastens the ripening of several fruits such as mangoes, bananas and apples.
What is artificial ripening?
When calcium carbide compound’s two main products – acetylene, a colourless gas widely used as fuel, and calcium cyanamide used as fertilizer - come into contact with water, it produces acetylene gas that hastens the ripening of several fruits such as mangoes, bananas and apples.
Why concern over this?
This chemical is extremely hazardous; it contains traces of arsenic and phosphorus which both have dangerous effects on the human body.
Why calcium carbide is preferred?
It is freely available and very cheap compared to ethylene.
What about sweeteners?
Injection of harmful chemicals (sweeteners) in mangoes, papaya and apples is also in practice
What are the dangers?
Mouth ulcers, gastric problems, diarrhoea, skin rashes, cancer, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, allergies, miscarriages and abnormalities in children
