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US expert urges Karachi to check for underground uranium contamination

By Amar Guriro

KARACHI: Pakistan, like the US and Mexico, could also be suffering from uranium contamination of underground water because of industrial units, hypothesized Dr Philip C. Goodell, Geologist and Professor at the Texas University, Department of Geology.

“Uranium contamination of underground water is a major issue in the state of Texas and Mexico, where I have worked, and perhaps it is also present in Pakistan. The issue needs to be investigated fast,” said Goodell at his lecture on the scope of geology in developed and developing countries at the Department of Geology, University of Karachi (KU) Tuesday.

While talking to Daily Times, Goodell said that governments of developing countries must come up with new laws and enforce existing ones for the reduction of uranium and other contaminations in their water. Industrial units change the underground soil pattern, contaminating the water found underground. Arsenic and Uranium-Contaminations are a common result of increasing numbers of industrial units, he said.

“In Texas, underground water contamination, especially the presence of arsenic and uranium, have become a popular controversy amongst residents, experts and politicians alike. The residents are divided over its presence, while the government bluntly rejects it. On the other hand, chemists have verified and proved it’s there. Uranium contamination can also be present in the underground water in Pakistan. The government must initiate a program to find out the actual situation,” he said.

Talking about the effects of these chemicals, he said that arsenic restricts growth in children, while uranium produces radioactive radiations which can be disastrous. Underground water contamination and soil degradation is not only caused by industrial units but can also occur naturally through rocks, broken rocks and sediments.

“Corruption can be another reason behind the increase in soil degradation and underground water contamination. Even though corruption is found all over the world, there are laws in place in the US and other developed nations, to restrict industries from polluting. This is not the case in Pakistan, and a stricter policy is needed,” he said.

Goodell said that governments in underdeveloped countries must introduce the subject of geology at primary and secondary levels in their educational system, so students become aware of its importance. “It is not Pakistan alone, but also the US, where geology is not taught with other sciences at the primary level. The governments and geologists of developing countries must educate the masses on the importance of the subject,” he said.

Prof. Waqar Hussain, Chairman of the Department of Geology, KU, said that the government must include geologists in the policy making process, especially in the Department of Planning & Development, Environment, Petroleum.

“Geology is the most important subject and it has always been neglected on various levels. For example, policy makers must be aware of its importance and it should be included in all curriculums like other science subjects.” He added that the government, international donors and the civil society should come forward to support the public awareness program which the professors of Department of Geology, KU, are willing to run to educate the public over the importance of geology and its effects on the economy.

“As geology is not included in the school syllabi at the primary level, we have to start from the very beginning in universities, and expect to train students in four years. This is an over daunting task and the government must help us,” said Hussain.

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