Discarded water bottles causing ill health

​Luxettipet (Mancherial): Many students of the government schools and hostels are falling sick after drinking water stored in plastic bottles. Parents of these students are poor and aren’t aware of the consequences of repetitive use of plastic bottles. Even teachers aren’t concerned about creating awareness among students.

If the plastic bottles are used constantly for months together without throwing them away after a single use, there is danger of people falling sick. Hazardous chemicals used in manufacturing plastic water bottles are the major cause for dreadful diseases like infertility and various cancers. Even water in the high priced water bottles will be contaminated after 10-15 days. Glass and stainless steel water bottles don’t harm.

The Central government introduced The Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) in January 2016. The aim of the programme is to screen children for diseases, deficiencies and development delays in children. A male doctor and a female doctor accompanied by a pharmacist and an ANM have to organise camps at government schools and hostels under this scheme and conduct free medical tests, advise and give directions to students regarding their health.

However, these health teams are not conducting any such programmes. Psychiatrists say that students should be aware of health-related issues along with their academies for their better future. People are of the view that doctors should come to their rescue.

RBSK health team head Dr Sarath Babu said children would fall sick if they drink contaminated water from bottles that aren’t clean. “We are conducting camps at schools and hostels of Jannaram and Dandepalle mandals. We will organise at Luxettipet too. We are striving to create awareness,” he added.