Dr Mustapha Bature, Clinical Mentor, Kebbi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, has warned that consumption of fruits such as mango, banana, pawpaw and plantain, artificially ripened by Calcium Carbide can cause cancer. The medical expert warned that the fruits artificially ripened with calcium carbide are not good for consumption because such chemicals used in ripening the fruits contain radio-active elements. According to Bature, people who are exposed to Silicon Carbide are likely to come up with lungs cancer. He said prolong exposure to both silicon and calcium carbide causes cancer. Bature advised that fruits exposed to such chemicals should be washed with running water for about two to five minutes before consumption.

Source: Punch December 25, 2017 15:45 UTC