Arsenic Pollution
Syllabus: GS2/ Health
Context
- A new study in The Lancet Planetary Health links climate change to rising arsenic levels in rice, warning of increased health risks in Asia by 2050.
What is Arsenic (As)?
- Arsenic is a naturally occurring trace element that occurs in many minerals, usually in combination with sulfur and metals.
- It is highly toxic in its inorganic form.
Effects on health
- Long-term exposure to arsenic can cause cancer, skin lesions, cardiovascular disease, diabetes etc.
- In-utero and early childhood exposure have been linked to negative impacts on cognitive development and increased deaths in young adults.
- In Taiwan, arsenic exposure has been linked to “Blackfoot disease”. It is a severe disease of blood vessels leading to gangrene.
Permissible Limits
- The World Health Organization’s provisional guideline value for arsenic in drinking water is 0.01 mg/l (10 μg/l).
- In India the permissible limit of arsenic in the absence of an alternative source is 0.05 mg/l (50 μg/l).
Arsenic Contamination in India
- The occurrence of Arsenic in groundwater was first reported in 1980 in West Bengal in India.
- Maximum number of the arsenic-affected habitations are in the Ganga and Brahmaputra alluvial plains.
- Steps taken by India:
- National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP): Addressing contaminants such as fluoride and arsenic through water treatment plants and alternate water supply solutions.
- IIT-Madras has developed a technology called ‘AMRIT’ (Arsenic and Metal Removal by Indian Technology) for the removal of Arsenic and Metal ions from water.
Source: TH
Section 69 of the BNS
Syllabus :GS 2/Governance
In News
- The issue of rape allegations based on false promises of marriage has long been debated in India.
About Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
- It introduces a new offence for cases where a man engages in sexual intercourse with a woman by making a false promise of marriage without intent to fulfill it.
- This is distinct from rape under Section 63 BNS (formerly Section 375 IPC) and is punishable with up to 10 years in prison and a fine.
- It also includes deception related to employment, promotion, or identity.
Supreme Court Observations
- Intent matters – If a man had a genuine intention to marry but later couldn’t due to unforeseen events, it’s not rape (e.g., Anurag Soni v. State of Chhattisgarh, 2019).
- Long-term consensual relationships are unlikely to qualify as rape if the woman continued the relationship knowingly (e.g., Rajnish Singh v. State of U.P., 2025).
- If the woman was already married, consent based on a false promise to marry does not legally qualify as consent obtained by deception (Abhishek Arjariya v. State of M.P., 2025).
Source :TH
International Telecom Union (ITU)
Syllabus :GS 2/IR
In News
- India has nominated Ms. M. Revathi as its candidate for Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
- It is the UN’s specialized agency for digital technologies (ICTs), comprising 194 Member States and over 1,000 organizations, including companies and universities.
- It is Headquartered in Geneva with global offices and it is the oldest UN agency, founded in 1865.
- It operates through three sectors: ITU-T (Standardization),ITU-D (Development) and ITU-R (Radiocommunication).
- The Radiocommunication Bureau manages the global radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits, ensuring safe, interference-free use of critical technologies like 5G, aviation, GPS, broadcasting, and space missions.
Source :PIB
Gold Prices Cross Rs 1 lakh-mark For First Time
Syllabus: GS3/Economy
Context
- Gold prices in India have crossed the ₹1 lakh mark for 10 grams, hitting a historic high.
Factors Influencing Gold prices
- Supply and Demand: The availability of gold and the demand for it, both for investment and industrial use, directly impact prices.
- Increased mining output can lower prices, while high demand can raise them.
- Inflation: Gold is often seen as a hedge against inflation. When inflation rises, investors flock to gold to preserve their purchasing power, driving up prices.
- Interest Rates: Lower interest rates decrease the opportunity cost of holding gold, making it more attractive to investors. Conversely, higher rates lead to lower gold prices.
- Geopolitical Stability: Political uncertainty or conflict lead investors to seek safety in gold, boosting demand and prices.
- Currency Strength: Gold is typically priced in U.S. dollars. A weaker dollar makes gold cheaper for holders of other currencies, potentially increasing demand and prices.
- Central Bank Policies: Actions by central banks, such as gold purchases or sales, significantly influence market prices. Central banks often hold gold as part of their reserves.
- Global Economic Conditions: Economic downturns or uncertainties lead to increased demand for gold as a safe haven.
Facts Related to Gold
- China is the world’s largest gold producer followed by Russia and Australia.
- China is also the world’s largest gold consumer followed by India.
- The United States holds the largest gold reserves in the world, with approximately 8,133.5 metric tons followed by Germany, and Italy .
Source: IE
China-U.S. Trade War Redrawing Global LPG Trading
Syllabus: GS3/ Economy
Context
- The global Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) trade is undergoing a significant shift due to high tariffs imposed by China on U.S. LPG imports, affecting prices, trade flows, and energy strategies across the globe.
About
- China is replacing U.S. LPG cargoes with supplies from the Middle East due to newly imposed tariffs.
- Middle Eastern countries are gaining market share in China, charging premiums of $30–$60/ton over benchmark prices.
- U.S. LPG shipments are being redirected to Europe and other Asian nations like Japan and India, often at discounted prices.
- Shale gas producers in the United States face lower prices due to oversupply and higher inventories.
| Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) – Components: It primarily consists of propane (C3H8) and butane (C4H10) or a mixture of both. – Characteristics: It is a colorless, odorless, flammable liquid that is used as a fuel. – Applications: Power generation, Energy Storage, Transportation, Industrial usage, etc. |
Source: TH
Green Way to Recycle Toxic Perovskite Solar Cells
Syllabus: GS3/ Science and Technology
Context
- In a recent paper published in Nature, scientists have introduced a water-based method for recycling Perovskite solar cells (PSCs).
Perovskite Solar Cells
- Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are a class of next-generation photovoltaics (PVs) that use a unique crystal structure known as perovskite to absorb sunlight.
- These materials have high power conversion efficiencies (PCE) at relatively low production costs.
- However, perovskites contain toxic substances like lead, raising concerns about safe disposal and environmental contamination.
- Traditional methods for recycling PSCs rely heavily on toxic organic solvents such as dimethylformamide (DMF), which pose environmental hazards.
Water-Based method for Green Recycling
- The chemical process avoids toxic organic solvents and uses three key salts:
- Sodium acetate which binds with lead to form water-soluble lead acetate.
- Sodium iodide provides iodide ions that help restore the degraded perovskite.
- Hypophosphorous acid stabilizes the solution for reuse and ensures high crystal quality.
- This approach dissolves the toxic perovskite layer and re-synthesize high-purity perovskite crystals that can be reused for making new solar cells.
- The scientists also used ethanol and ethyl acetate to dissolve and recover other components, such as metal electrodes and glass substrates.
Source: TH
NEERI to Study Industrial Impact on Taj Mahal
Syllabus: Miscellaneous
Context
- The Supreme Court tasked the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) to study the impact of glass industries on the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
About
- NEERI is a premier Indian research institution specializing in environmental science and engineering.
- Established in 1958 in Nagpur, Maharashtra, it was originally named the Central Public Health Engineering Research Institute (CPHERI).
- In 1974, it was renamed NEERI by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
- NEERI operates under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), which is part of the Ministry of Science and Technology.
- Mission: To offer innovative and effective solutions for environmentally sustainable development, aiding the government, industry, and society, with a focus on benefiting the underprivileged population of India.
Taj Mahal
- The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum located in Agra, India.
- It sits on the south bank of the Yamuna River.
- Commissioned in 1632 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (reigned 1628–1658).
- It was built in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
- It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
- It is regarded as a prime example of Mughal architecture.
Source: TH