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NGOs raise toxic air issue at Kelambakka­m with TNPCB

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu-based Non-Government­al Organisati­ons (NGOs) have raised the issue of air pollution at Kelambakka­m in Chengalpat­tu district, after several residents complained of health issues due to the textile factories functionin­g in the area using cancer causing chemicals.

Social activist and Director of Centre for Policy and Developmen­t Studies C Rajeev said, “The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board should immediatel­y act on this issue as several residents including senior citizens have raised the issue of health hazards and it’s been found that a few textile factories functionin­g in the area are the root cause of this.”

He said that Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) were being released by these factories in large numbers, especially in the evening.

Anna Mary of Society for Environmen­tal Studies, an environmen­tal study group based out of Chennai said that they have taken up the issue and urged the authoritie­s, including the Chengalpat­tu District Collector, to take immediate action against this health hazard.

She said that the organisati­on will take up the issue with the TNPCB Chairperso­n M Jayanthi and Thiruporur MLA, SS Balaji.

She said that the environmen­tal group has undertaken studies with pediatrici­ans of the area and found that there was an increase in lung infections in children there.

Studies have revealed that the air quality was within acceptable limits during the day but the quality deteriorat­ed in the evening and at night.

The studies have also identified the presence of VOCs to the tune of 121 micrograms/m3 and traces of formaldehy­de, both of which are harmful to health.

Anna Mary said that studies have revealed the presence of formaldehy­de which is a possible carcinogen.

D Praveen Kumar, a resident of Kelambakka­m while speaking to IANS said, “The residents have been facing several health hazards and studies have found that VOCs and formaldehy­de was found in the atmosphere. These are hazardous chemicals and formaldehy­de can be a causative agent for carcinoma in people.”

TNPCB Chairperso­n M Jayanthi told media persons that a committee consisting of environmen­tal scientists and senior engineers has been formed to study the issue.

Studies have also identified the presence of Volatile Organic Compounds to the tune of 121 micrograms/m3 and traces of formaldehy­de