In Erode Surampatty Bharathy Nagar, some persons on the bank of Perumpallam odai have erected hearths and are engaged in melting the paraffin wax in iron drums.

Anyone who crosses the area can see the melting of wax by some persons.

Residents said that the place is located behind the SIDCO estate and some persons are visiting the batik printing units and collecting the waste paraffin wax from the factories.

Some persons using blades are removing the affixed wax from the printing tables.

They keep the collected waste wax in iron drums, put some plastic papers into the same, boil the contents using the small hearth, melt the material, convert the waste into wax, and supply the same to the printing industries and also to others who are producing candles.

The villagers said that when the wax began to melt, thick black smoke came from the drums, causing respiratory problems for people in the area.

Villagers said that some days ago, they opposed the melting of waste wax and had also written to the Pollution Control Board.

However, no action had been taken and the practice was continuing, residents said.

The practice was continuing and the people in the area were suffering.

Similarly in five major villages of Kangeyam including Aarathozhuvu, Mudalipalayam, Kalipalayam and Palrampalayam, some persons were conducting coconut shell burning industries without any license.

The Kangeyam area is noted for its coconut cultivation and coconut oil extraction units. The coconut shells are converted into carbon by some persons after obtaining permission for running the industry.

Necessary chimneys have been erected to dispose of the smoke without affecting the people.

But in the five places, such coconut shell burning industries are running as cottage industries, without a license, the people said.

No effort had been taken to install chimneys. The thick black smoke was coming out from the industrial units and polluting the surroundings.

Problems

Many men and women and their children were often affected with lung problems and respiratory problems.

On behalf of the villagers, N. Subramaniam of Appipalayam, Kangeyam said they had already complained about the matter to the Pollution Control Board.

Officials from the department had recently visited the area, but still the industries were operating unhindered and air pollution was increasing.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/15/stories/2008011551360300.htm