Latest news with #StatePollutionControlBoard
Mint
3 days ago
- General
- Mint
Union Carbide's 337-ton waste finally incinerated, 40 years after Bhopal gas tragedy
The entire 337 tons of waste of the now-defunct Union Carbide factory in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh has been incinerated, officials said. The waste has been reduced to ashes at a disposal plant in the state's Pithampur town, they said on June 30 – six months after the toxic consignment was brought to the unit. 'The pollution board officials have informed us that all the waste has been disposed of as per protocol,' Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Director, Swatanta Kumar Singh, was quoted as saying in The Indian Express. The process of relocating the toxic waste from the Union Carbide factory began on January 1, about 40 years after the tragedy. While 30 tons of the waste was burnt earlier during three trials at the plant, the remaining 307 tons was incinerated between May 5 and the intervening night of June 29-30, the State Pollution Control Board official was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. The waste disposal at the plant in Dhar district's Pithampur industrial town was undertaken following the directives of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. This exercise initially faced protests from local residents who feared adverse impacts on the environment and their health. The highly poisonous methyl isocyanate gas (MIC) leaked from the Union Carbide's pesticide factory in Bhopal on the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984, causing one of the biggest industrial disasters in the world. At least 5,479 persons were killed, and thousands were maimed. The process of burning 307 tons of the factory waste at the disposal plant operated by a private company in Pithampur began around 7.45 pm on May 5 and ended on the intervening night of June 29-30 at 1 am, State Pollution Control Board's regional officer Srinivas Dwivedi told PTI. It was incinerated at a maximum rate of 270 kg per hour under the supervision of technical experts of the Central Pollution Control Board and the State Pollution Control Board, following the High Court's directive issued on March 27, he said. "We have no information about any adverse effect on the health of people living in surrounding areas during the incineration of the waste," he said. According to Dwivedi, the ash and other residue left after burning the total 337 tons of waste were being safely packed in sacks and kept in a leak-proof storage shed of the plant. Special landfill cells were being constructed as per scientific process to bury the residue (waste leftovers) in the ground, and this work is expected to be completed by November, he said. "If everything goes well, these residue will also be disposed of by December. Before this, the residue will be treated scientifically so that their burial does not cause any harm to the environment," the official said. Later, in a press release, the State Pollution Control Board said about 19 tons of 'excess waste' found in the soil of the Union Carbide factory premises is being incinerated at the Pithampur plant, and this process will be completed by July 3. According to the release, 2.22 tons of waste from the packaging material, including all the waste from the Union Carbide factory was brought in January in vehicles, has been put separately, and it will be buried scientifically after treatment. The pollution board officials have informed us that all the waste has been disposed of as per protocol. The waste from the Union Carbide factory included soil from the premises of the closed unit, reactor residue, Sevin (pesticide) residue, naphthal residue and "semi-processed" residue. Scientific evidence shows that effect of Sevin and naphthal chemicals in this waste has already become "almost negligible". There was no presence of methyl isocyanate gas in the waste and it also did not contain any radioactive particles, as per the State Pollution Control Board. Key Takeaways The incineration of the Union Carbide waste is a pivotal step in addressing the aftermath of the Bhopal disaster. Community protests highlight the ongoing concerns regarding environmental safety and health risks associated with hazardous waste disposal. The completion of this process illustrates the importance of adhering to judicial directives and environmental protocols.
The Print
3 days ago
- General
- The Print
Over 40 years after Bhopal gas tragedy, all 337 tons of Union Carbide waste burnt to ashes
The waste disposal at the plant in Dhar district's Pithampur industrial town was undertaken following directives of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, an exercise which initially faced protests from local residents who feared adverse impact on the environment and their health. While 30 tons of the waste was burnt earlier during three trials at the plant, the remaining 307 tons was incinerated between May 5 and the intervening night of June 29-30, the State Pollution Control Board official said, marking the end of a dark chapter in the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy. Indore, Jun 30 (PTI) The entire 337 tons of waste of the defunct Union Carbide factory in Bhopal has been incinerated and reduced to ashes at a disposal plant in Madhya Pradesh's Pithampur town, an official said on Monday, six months after the toxic consignment was brought to the unit. The highly poisonous methyl isocyanate gas (MIC) leaked from the Union Carbide's pesticide factory in Bhopal on the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984, causing one of the biggest industrial disasters in the world. At least 5,479 persons were killed and thousands were maimed. The process of burning 307 tons of the factory waste at the disposal plant operated by a private company in Pithampur began around 7.45 pm on May 5 and ended on the intervening night of June 29-30 at 1 am, State Pollution Control Board's regional officer Srinivas Dwivedi told PTI. It was incinerated at a maximum rate of 270 kg per hour under the supervision of technical experts of the Central Pollution Control Board and the State Pollution Control Board, following the High Court's directive issued on March 27, he said. During the waste disposal process, the emission of different gases and particles from the Pithampur plant was monitored on a real-time basis by an online mechanism and all emissions were found to be within standard limits, the official said. 'We have no information about any adverse effect on the health of people living in surrounding areas during the incineration of the waste,' he said. According to Dwivedi, the ash and other residue left after burning the total 337 tons of waste were being safely packed in sacks and kept in a leak-proof storage shed of the plant. Special landfill cells were being constructed as per scientific process to bury the residue (waste leftovers) in the ground, and this work is expected to be completed by November, he informed. 'If everything goes well, these residue will also be disposed of by December. Before this, the residue will be treated scientifically so that their burial does not cause any harm to the environment,' the official said. Later, in a press release, the State Pollution Control Board said about 19 tons of 'excess waste' found in the soil of the Union Carbide factory premises is being incinerated at the Pithampur plant and this process will be completed by July 3. According to the release, 2.22 tons of waste of the packaging material in which all the waste of the Union Carbide factory was brought in January in vehicles has been put separately and it will be buried scientifically after treatment. During the burning of the Union Carbide waste, the emissions of particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide, hydrogen fluoride and oxides of nitrogen as well as mercury, cadmium and other heavy metals from the Pithampur plant were found to be within standard limits, it said. The ambient air quality in villages around the plant — Tarapura, Chirakhan and Bajrangpura – also remained within prescribed standards during the incineration of the waste, it said. The waste was transported from Bhopal to the plant in Pithampur, about 250 km from the state capital, on January 2. Initially, 30 tons of waste was burnt at the plant during three trials. After this, citing the analysis report, the state government told the HC that during the trials conducted at the rates of 135 kg per hour, 180 kg per hour and 270 kg per hour, the emissions were found to be within prescribed limits. According to the state government, the waste from the Union Carbide factory included soil from the premises of the closed unit, reactor residue, Sevin (pesticide) residue, naphthal residue and 'semi-processed' residue. Scientific evidence shows that effect of Sevin and naphthal chemicals in this waste has already become 'almost negligible'. There was no presence of methyl isocyanate gas in the waste and it also did not contain any radioactive particles, as per the State Pollution Control Board. PTI HWP MAS GK RSY This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
'Devpt & greenery need to go hand-in-hand'
The pilgrim city of Puri is setting new standards in eco-friendly coastal development with its pristine Blue Flag beach. Stretching 900m in length and 100m in width, this certified beach stands as a testament to Odisha's commitment to sustainable coastal tourism. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now With clear waters, well-maintained sand quality and excellent safety measures, the beach has become a model for other coastal destinations in India. However, experts have said more needs to be done in terms of including more green cover in newly developed areas where new roads and top-notch hospitality facilities have come up. "There is considerable greenery in Puri town but more needs to be done in terms of avenue plantation. Also, joint enforcement is required to check litter of single-use plastic," M Yogajayanand, regional chief conservator of forests (Bhubaneswar circle), said. A recent study by the State Pollution Control Board revealed that the water quality index along the coast in Puri district slipped to poor category last year from moderate quality in previous years due to heavy anthropogenic pressure and macro and microplastic pollution. But there is visible ecological balance as the marine drive connecting Puri to Konark is dotted with tall trees and casuarina forest. This coastal road, lined with shade-providing trees and extensive casuarina plantations, offers more than just scenic beauty. "This green corridor acts as a natural barrier against coastal erosion and provides essential ecological benefits to the region," divisional forest officer (Puri) Dhanaji Magar said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In 2023-24, the Konark wildlife range conducted casuarina plantation over 2.5 hectares at Kurujanga forest and it planted 10,000 casuarina saplings for the coastal shelter belt at Tanadhara Udayakani beach. In 2022-23, it planted casuarina seedlings along marine drive over a 10-hectare area. "Along the marine drive, there are species such as neem and sunari that not only provide green canopy along the entire stretch of Puri-Konark but lend an aesthetic look," said assistant conservator of forests Sambit Panda. Conservationists, however, feel the journey towards complete environmental transformation isn't over. While established areas showcase impressive green coverage, newly developed sections and roads require extensive plantation efforts. "We are working on comprehensive plantation drives to extend the green canopy throughout the township. Now, we are managing and maintaining Blue Flag beach through outsourcing of various services. Our motto is to keep it clean and green," Panda added. The forest department has planned more avenue plantations along the new beach road that is devoid of any green cover at the moment. "It will take 2-3 years to develop greenery in those empty spaces. Mostly, we need shade-bearing and fast-growing species," a forest officer said.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Study finds dangerously high fluoride levels in drinking water across 5 districts
Bhubaneswar: Alarmingly high fluoride levels in drinking water are jeopardising public health across the state's five districts, according to a recent study by the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB). The survey traces the contamination to natural geology in Cuttack and Nuapada while pinpointing industrial emissions from aluminium smelters, thermal power plants, geothermal activity and rock leaching as culprits in Angul, Khurda and Nayagarh. The study links prolonged consumption of fluoride-laden water to widespread cases of dental and skeletal fluorosis. High fluoride levels in the groundwater of several Nuapada villages have left residents with chronic ailments. According to the study, groundwater fluoride concentrations in Nuapada range from 1.3 mg per litre in areas such as Jampani to a staggering 9.4 mg per litre in Karlakot, far surpassing the WHO-recommended limit. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Düsseldorf: GEERS sucht 700 Testhörer für Hörgeräte ohne Zuzahlung GEERS Undo Water samples from Bharuamunda High School in Sinapali block showed 5.25 mg per litre, posing significant health risks to students. The study added that more than 900 habitations in Nuapada are affected. Additionally, villages such as Palsipani and Dhumabhata (Komna block) and Karlakot and Sukalpur (Boden block) record some of the highest readings in Nuapada. Sources said pipe-supplied drinking water proved to be the lone solution after which fluorosis cases dropped, but it is not enough. "About 500 tube wells were declared defunct, yet people still rely on them during peak summer," said Abani Panigrahi, a local social worker. Nuapada has 648 villages, out of which around 500 were affected by fluoride content in water between 1996 and 2004, but things gradually improved with the state govt streamlining rural water supply. In Angul, the presence of large industrial units—including National Aluminium Company (Nalco) smelters and several thermal power plants—has led to elevated fluoride levels in the environment, the study states. "Fluoride in groundwater ranges from 0.4 mg to 0.62 mg per litre in Angul. Dental and skeletal deficiencies are common in Angul, Nuapada and Khurda. In Khurda, industrial emissions are also to blame," the study notes.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Microplastics, oil and grease harming Puri's water: PCB report
Bhubaneswar: Plastic waste dumped by tourists into the sea, oil and grease from marine vessels, and coastal erosion due to unregulated development are all contributing to Puri's water quality index (WQI) dropping to poor category, the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) said in a new report. Puri's WQI score slipped from 51 in 2023 to 37 in 2024, the recently released coastal health status report (2022-2024) revealed, calling for corrective measures. Experts analysing the report pointed out that measures like sewage treatment and ecosystem restoration programmes should be taken up. "Its (Puri) WQI is slightly below the permissible limit, which is why it is under the poor category. But it is not alarming and can in no way affect bathing. But measures should be taken up at the earliest," said chief environmental scientist (SPCB) Niranjan Mallick. The study focused on the entire 480 km of coastal stretch through a network of 91 designated coastal monitoring stations and 58 identified coastal outfall locations. The study covered three distinct hydrological phases — pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon, it said. "There was temporal variation in the contribution of key water quality parameters to the estuarine sea ecosystem condition in Puri district over three years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo In 2022, there was a moderate level of pollutants and heavy metals (Pb, Fe, Mn) in the water, indicating a balanced condition. In 2023, parameters like DO and pH became less prominent, indicating deterioration of baseline water quality. But in 2024, faecal coliform and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) became prominent, indicating a marked increase in organic and microbial pollution," the govt report said. The in-depth coastal health report also included the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) status of Olive Ridley turtles as vulnerable, and Irrawaddy and humpback dolphins as endangered. "Untreated sewage discharge from urban centres and peri-urban zones, especially during the peak pilgrimage season, is hugely responsible," it further said. Additionally, it said agricultural run-off from the Daya and Bhargavi river basins introduces excessive nitrates and phosphates. The study specifically pointed out major anthropogenic factors in Puri.
