New Delhi, June 4 (IANS) Aerated drinks like those manufactured by Pepsi and Coca Cola don’t just affect health but also severely impact the soil quality and the environment, an NGO said here Friday.
Hazards Centre, an enviromental NGO which conducted a survey of the areas around the Pepsi and Coca Cola manufacturing plants in Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, compiled their report which was released in the capital Friday.
‘We found that the solid waste and effluents discharged by these soft drinks manufacturing plants have affected the soil quality around it. In Mehendiganj in Uttar Pradesh, it has lowered the ground-water level along with the productivity of the soil,’ said Banajyotsna Baruah, a researcher with the NGO.
The survey was conducted between August 2006 and December 2008. The report is titled ‘How Harsh Is Your Soft Drink’.
‘It is a known fact by now that aerated drinks are harmful to one’s health. This is because of the excess chromium content in the drinks that may cause cancer, stomach ailments and even affect your nervous system,’ she added.
