The Economic Times

Vaishno Devi offerings case exposes toxic metal in silver: How this adulterant, if present in your jewellery, can damage lungs, kidneys & raise cancer risk

A major controversy has emerged at the Vaishno Devi Temple after investigations found that much of the silver donated by devotees contains toxic metals like cadmium, posing serious health risks. Nearly 20 tonnes of offerings sent for processing were found to have only 56% actual silver, with the rest made up of cheap and hazardous materials. The discovery not only slashes the estimated value of donations from around Rs 500 crore to about Rs 30 crore but also raises alarms over exposure to cadmium, a highly toxic metal that can cause long-term damage to lungs, kidneys, and overall health.