Latest news with #ShubhiSharma
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Could UK Tap Water's 'Forever Chemicals' Lead To France-Style Bans?
France has seen its biggest ever ban on tap water in Saint-Louis, near the Swiss city of Basel. Local authorities put letters through approximately 60,000 mailboxes urging the public to ensure that kids under two, pregnant and breastfeeding people, and the immunocompromised don't drink tap water. This was because the levels of PFAs, also known as 'forever chemicals,' had been raised to four times the acceptable limit by firefighting foam used in a local airport since the '60s. PFAS stand for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, chemicals which take an extremely long time to break down. They're present in everything from skincare products to frying pans and include 5,000+ substances. Saint-Louis is one of thousands of EU water sources suspected to be contaminated by too many PFAs, the overconsumption of which may be linked to increased cancer risk, reproductive issues, compromised immune systems, and even heightened cholesterol levels. Given that 'from 2018 to 2022, 51-60% of rivers, 11-35% of lakes and 47-100% of transitional and coastal waters exceeded the annual average environmental quality standards (EQS) for PFOS [a specific PFAS]' in Europe, we thought we'd ask what that might mean for the UK. Speaking to HuffPost UK, Professor Sir Colin Berry, Emeritus Professor of Pathology at the Queen Mary University of London, offered some reassurance. 'It is worth emphasising the reason that these compounds [PFAS] are persistent is that they are non-reactive; the chances that the very small amounts found will have detectable adverse effect if ingested is vanishingly small,' the former President of the European Society of Pathology told us. 'The levels are set as precautionary values and are more to do with control of contamination than concern about health,' he added. The Drinking Water Inspectorate says that, 'Based on our current knowledge, the low levels of PFAS detected in some untreated water abstracted for public drinking water supplies has no acute or immediate impact on human health.' Still, a 2023 evaluation by the World Health Organisation concluded that teo PFAS (perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)) can be considered carcinogenic and possibly carcinogenic, respectively. PFOAs are group 1 carcinogens per the WHO's cancer research sector, IARC, along with processed meat, tobacco, and asbestos. PPOS are group 2B 'possible' carcinogens, along with aloe vera, coconut oil, and pickled vegetables. Doctors have previously criticised the IARC cancer grouping system for not considering 'the level of risk relative to the dosage,' which they think may have led to the body grouping things like salted fish in the same group 1 carcinogen class as plutonium. Whatever the disputed effects of going over the EU's limit of PFAS may be, Dr Shubhi Sharma, a Scientific Research Assistant at CHEM Trust, says parts of the UK certainly do that. 'PFAS have already been found in almost 200 untreated drinking water samples in England and the levels in these samples were found to be above the Drinking Water Inspectorate's PFAS threshold guidance for England and Wales, which is a 'wholesomeness' value of 0.1 ug/l for 48 PFAS,' she told us. A Ministry of Defence spokesperson told The Guardian in response to those claims that 'Ensuring the safety of our staff, personnel and the public is our number one priority and that's why we are complying with the relevant legislation and regulations. 'As understanding of these chemicals has changed, we have responded accordingly. We have prioritised a programme of investigation of our sites, which has been agreed with the Environment Agency.' The CHEM Trust researcher said England and Wales 'have no statutory limits on PFAS in drinking water – the water companies just need to test for 48 PFAS, but this is a non-binding guidance. Scotland, on the other hand, adheres to EU standards, which are far stricter than the UK guidelines.' Member states of the EU, she added, will need to comply with the Drinking Water Directive thresholds by 12th January 2026. 'People in [the] UK have different threats of exposure to PFAS in their drinking water depending on whether they live in Scotland or England/Wales,' Dr Sharma added. Dr Sharma, who believes PFAS carry health risks and are a 'huge concern,' says that 'the UK needs to regulate PFAS as a group and at the very source' (mainly industrial sites). But seeing as England and Wales have no statutory limit on PFAS and Scotland sticks to the EU-recommended level, a tap water ban based on the slow-degrading chemicals seems unlikely any time soon. The Next Thing To Ruin The UK's Water Supply Isn't What You Think Tories Shamed Over UK's Polluted Water Supply: 'They Turned A Blind Eye' I've Dreaded Every Heatwave Since 2019 – And It's Only Going To Get Worse
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Transgender actress Shubhi Sharma on real acceptance in the industry; says ‘Let us work, we have households to run'
As Pride Month is celebrated across the globe, Indian transgender actress Shubhi Sharma , who rose to fame with the show Dhruv Tara, has shared a heartfelt note on the ongoing struggle for inclusion within the entertainment industry. While the celebrations aim to recognize LGBTQ+ voices, Shubhi says that real acceptance still feels distant. 'Pride Month is celebrated across the world. Even our country, India, is also celebrating. Transgender individuals are welcome, they are asked about their journey, struggles and achievements. But I feel it's all about documenting things to make society look good. There isn't much that our society is ready to return us,' she says bluntly. Opening up about a recent experience, Shubhi shares, 'I was looking for work and had auditioned for Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan. It was a good role — a transgender character. But later, they decided to cast a male artist dressed as a transwoman. If this doesn't mean we are sidelined, then what does?' She adds with grace and honesty, 'I'm fine if they don't cast me — maybe I didn't fit the role. But at least they could have offered the part to another trans person. We deserve those opportunities.' Shubhi's message is simple but powerful: 'My only request is — if you truly believe in Pride Month, then accept us. Let us work. We have households to run. We don't seek pity or charity — we seek respect. I hope someday society will stand with us, not just speak about us.' Her words serve as a stark reminder that representation without inclusion is incomplete — and that real change lies in action, not tokenism.
India.com
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Transgender actress Shubhi Sharma reveals shocking casting couch experience: ‘He told me to take off my…'
Transgender actress Shubhi Sharma reveals shocking casting couch experience: 'He told me to take off my…' In the glamorous world of Bollywood, behind the glitz, there is a lot more that meets the eye. Often masked behind the flamboyance are silent voices, uneven opportunities, and even identity that may become a struggle to celebrate. Even though the entertainment industry seems progressive and future-forward, the truth remains far from reality. Despite the industry celebrating diversity and inclusivity, the real struggles of transgenders remains buried. One such actress, Shubhi Sharma, who stands both as a survivor and a trailblazer, reveals the reality of transgender individuals in the entertainment industry. Featured in hit television serials like Saath Nibhaana Saathiya, Dhruv Tara, and Chaand Jalne Laga, Shubhi's journey wasn't about success, but it was more about paving with prejudice, exploitation, and emotional endurance. In a candid interview, Shubhi revealed how deeply rooted stigma affects not just work opportunities but every aspect of her life. 'Who really supports transgender people?' she asked. 'In our society, families often disown people like us. We don't get life partners. Our lives are filled with pain.' Her words pierce through the superficial celebration of inclusivity, bringing focus to a harsh and often hidden truth. Talking about an incident, Shubhi shares that despite her strong industry connection, she was dropped out of the show and it went to male actors. 'I didn't know how to react. I had been told I was perfect for the part, but then it all vanished,' she said. However, one event that took her by shock was when she faced casting couch, which showcased the cruel objectification transgender actors face. An influential figure suggested she would need to 'remove her clothes' for a chance. 'I told him, I'm a transgender woman, not a girl you can exploit,' Shubhi recalled. He coldly responded, 'People like you are in demand these days.' In another incident, a filmmaker offered to help her remain 'relevant' in the competitive world, but again, the help came with inappropriate expectations. The common thread? Her identity was used against her—exoticised when convenient, erased when uncomfortable. Despite these repeated setbacks, Shubhi hasn't given up. 'I'm still struggling for good roles. When we don't have work, we depend on charity. We live on whatever comes our way,' she shared. Her truth echoes the silent pain of many transgender individuals trying to thrive in a world not yet ready to embrace them fully. Shubhi's journey is not just about her—it's about a broken system, and the strength it takes to rise above it. She continues to fight not just for roles, but for respect, space, and dignity. In a world of scripted fiction, her story is painfully real—and that's what makes it so important.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shubhi Sharma on casting couch and struggles as a transgender actress in the industry; says ‘At times I survive on the charity we collect'
Television actress Shubhi Sharma , known for her work in shows like Chand Jalne Laga, Dhruv Tara, and Saath Nibhaana Saathiya, has opened up about facing casting couch experiences and the ongoing challenges she faces as a transgender woman in the entertainment industry. In a personal revelation, Shubhi shared, 'I'm working in showbiz and struggling to find meaningful roles. At times, with no work in hand, I survive on the charity we collect. I've often spoken about how makers should cast transgender actors in transgender roles instead of giving those parts to male actors.' Recalling a disturbing incident, Shubhi said, 'I remember a popular filmmaker calling me and saying he could help me survive the competition. All I had to do was let off my clothes. I told him I'm transgender, not a girl, but he said, 'These days, b*tts are more in demand.' I didn't know what to do. He's a known name with good connections. I was already in talks for two shows — one an episodic on a newly revamped channel, and another a cameo — but both roles eventually went to a male actor. One of the shows later went off-air and was caught up in controversies.' Expressing emotional exhaustion, Shubhi added, 'I don't know what's next for me. I admire actresses like Navina who can speak openly without fear. She's a woman and will always have someone to support her. But who supports us transgender people? Many of us are disowned by our families. We can't even find partners who'll stand by us. We live very merciful lives.' Shubhi has earned praise for her performances in Aaina – Roop Nahi Haqikat Bhi Dikhaye, Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 2, Nath, Saavi Ki Savaari, and more — continuing to fight for space, dignity, and representation in Indian television.
