A section of residents of Chromepet has appealed to the State government to shut down or shift a unit that recycles plastic containers carrying hazardous waste.
The group that gathered under the banner of the ‘Struggle Committee of Chamber’s Colony’ claimed the plant was a health hazard to the few hundred families in the colony.
The residents, in an appeal to Municipal Chairman K.M.R. Nissar Ahmed, noted that the unit had begun functioning a few years ago as a godown to store empty and used cans of hazardous chemicals. The cans would later be disposed off to buyers. Of late, the unit had also begun recycling the cans. As these containers had residues of hazardous chemicals, the process of recycling saw many such chemicals released into the air. Residents said that among the chemicals that were released were vinyl chloride, ethylene oxide and xylem and this had led to complaints of irritation in the eyes and difficulties while breathing.
They also submitted a petition urging the intervention of the local body as well as Chief Minister’s Cell and Kancheepuram Collector and asked the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to send a team of officials to make a spot visit and initiate action.
Mr. Ahmed said preliminary enquiries had revealed that the unit had obtained all the necessary approvals. However, a thorough check of the unit would be done based on the grievances submitted by the residents, he added.
Source: The Hindu, Chennai
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