Cuddalore Could be next Bhopal, warn activists

Hindustan Times , Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Correspondent : G. C. Shekhar
Chennai, May 9

Environmental Activists have warned that a Bhopan-like tragedy is waiting to happen in Cuddalore, about 200 km from Chennai, where chemicals industries housed in the SIPCOT industrial area have been belching toxic pollutants int the air making it unfit to breathe.

“Tests conducted during the past five months revealed the presence 12 toxic gases, of which at least seven seriously violated one or more US standards of ‘safe ambient air,” said SIPCOT Area Community Environment Monitors (SACEM), an organization of environmentalists and members from 20-odd villages in the area.

The activists also alleged that there have been at least five gas leaks from factories in SIPCOT since October 2004 with authorities failing to take note of them.

“With less than two months to go for the June 30, 2005 deadline set by the Supreme Court monitoring committee on hazardous wastes, the state government run Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has taken no steps to curb air pollution. No air monitoring studies or mitigating measures have been published or announced by it,” said M Nizamudeen, general secretary, Federation of Consumer Organisations, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry (FEDCOT). He was speaking to reporters on Monday while releasing the results of the second set of tests conducted by SACEM.

Based on SACEM’s first report released in September 2004, which found 22 “volatile organic compounds and sulphur gases” in five samples of ambient air from the industrial area, the SC had warned that all industries in the area would have to shut down unless they equipped themselves to run non-polluting factories by the end of June 2005.

Environmentalists agree that TNPCB is an ineffective body. “ It prefers to be a rubber stamp, giving clearances for more and more factories,” said environmentalist Nityanand Jayaraman.

Spitting Toxins

· Tests in Cuddalore’s SIPCOT industrial area have revealed presence of 12 toxic gases

· Environmentalists allege five gas leaks from factories since October 2004

· Chemicals detected are between two and 900 times above safe levels

· They can affect eyes, skin, liver, kidneys and cardiovascular, blood, reproductive, gastrointestinal and central nervous systems

· Activists say government has ignored SC directives. Court’s June 30 deadline to clean up or clear out is nearing.

 
SOURCE : Hindustan Times, Tuesday, May 10, 2005
 


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