Sir: Recently a well-respected scientist and academic Dr Atta-ur-Rehman issued a warning about production of fruits and vegetables through industrial base ground. He says, “Cultivation through industrial waste is being observed all over the country especially around industrial areas and zones throughout Pakistan.” Vegetables and fruits available locally are irrigated by sewage and chemical waste. A large number of industries discharge deadly and toxic waste into storm drains, or in the Lyari or Malir rivers; in turn these rivers irrigate huge vegetable and fruit farms. Chemical analysis revealed that there are traces of heavy metal such as chromium and nickel in the vegetable samples. A study conducted by IUCN says that spinach from Korangi farms contains as much as 87.6 mg/l of chromium. Not only chemical waste, the discharge of sewage contaminated water in rivers and water bodies results in the contamination of the food chain. In Pakistan, sewage water is re-channeled to irrigate crops, which contaminates them with pathogens. As a result, 50 percent of crops are contaminated. As for now, prevention of contamination of fruits and vegetables with pathogenics and microorganisms should be the goal of everyone involved in both pre-harvest and post-harvest period of production. In addition, inadequate water resources may encourage the use of sewage and chemical waste to irrigate fields. Farms are not and cannot be aseptic. Reduction in the chances of contamination can be achieved through appropriate agronomic practices, harvesting processing and by irrigation through hygienic or uncontaminated water. SARAH HAKEEM Karachi