Kathmandu, April 2 -- High pesticide residues have been found in major vegetables sold in the Kathmandu Valley-and government lab tests confirm they are serious health risks.

On Tuesday, tests conducted on yardlong beans revealed dangerously high levels of harmful chemicals. Over 32 kg of the beans were disposed of after being deemed unfit for consumption.

The Rapid Bioassay of Pesticide Residue (RBPR) Analysis Unit tested samples of long beans from Chitwan and found them to contain organophosphate pesticide at a concentration of 92.45 percent, making them unsafe for consumption.

Officials noted that vegetable growers have been using toxic chemicals to accelerate growth and ward off pests, which may cause severe health problems for con...