Experts Say Pollution and Contamination Must Be Thoroughly Studied

Experts Say Pollution and Contamination Must Be Thoroughly Studied

- Pradip Kumar Maitra and Niraj Pandit

NAGPUR/MUMBAI: Nearly four months after citizens of 15 villages in Buldhana district's Shegaon tehsil woke up to a spate of rampant hair loss, a second shot of panic gripped citizens of at least five villages recently - they are now witnessing deformities and loss of nails on their fingers and toes.

"The phenomenon of rapid hair loss struck in December; and now, for the past four to five days, people have begun losing their nails too," said Rameshwar Dharkar, sarpanch of Bondgaon village, where nearly 150 villagers had experienced hair loss, some of who have now lost their nails.

A team from the district health department visited the affected areas on Thursday and collected blood samples of the afflicted for analysis. The ailment, which was first noticed in Bondgaon, with seven cases, subsequently spread to four other villages -- Kalwad (13 cases), Kathora (10 cases) and Machhindrakhed (7 cases) -- in Shegaon tehsil. Ghui village in Meher tehsil saw two cases.

Dr Anil Bankar, a health officer from Buldhana health department, confirmed the development. "Thirty-nine individuals from five villages are exhibiting nail deformities; in some cases, the nails have detached entirely. They have been given preliminary treatment and will undergo further examination at Shegaon Hospital," Dr Bankar said.