SRINAGAR: To curb the harmful practice of exposing Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottled water and soft drinks to direct sunlight, Tehsildar Sopore Sheikh Tariq on Wednesday launched an awareness campaign across Sopore town and adjoining areas, urging shopkeepers to keep such items indoors.
The initiative, supported by Naib Tehsildar Shahid Khaliq and Mohammad Ashraf, comes in response to a viral video by social activist Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat. The video, widely circulated on platforms like Instagram, Facebook and X, highlighted the health hazards associated with sunlight exposure of plastic bottles, particularly during the summer months.
During the campaign, officials visited several retail and wholesale grocery outlets in Sopore and Sangrama, advising shopkeepers not to display PET bottled beverages outside their shops. “This exposure is not just a quality concern but a serious health risk,” said Tehsildar Tariq, stressing the importance of public cooperation.
Dr Raja Muzaffar cited international research, including studies by Columbia University and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which confirm that ultraviolet (UV) radiation contributes to the degradation of PET quality. “UV exposure can lead to the release of nanoplastics into the liquid, posing severe risks to human health through bloodstream contamination,” he warned.
Expressing his appreciation for the prompt administrative action, Dr Muzaffar said, “I am grateful to Tehsildar Sopore and the Food Safety Officers for acting swiftly on the issue and launching this important awareness drive.”
