The problem

A copper smelter M/s Sterlite Industries in Tuticorin has several thousand tons of arsenic containing slag and phosphogypsum dumped on its premises. These wastes are inadequately stored and open to the elements. A National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) report dated 1998 indicates that there has been contamination of underground aquifers with arsenic and other heavy metals. The industry lies less than 25 kilometers from the Gulf of Munnar and NEERI had recommended that no further expansion should be permitted. However the industry has gone ahead and expanded its capacity to 300,000 tons per year despite not having permits to do so.

In 1997 the smelter in Tuticorin was forced to shut down due to gaseous emissions in the vicinity of the plant. It resumed production in mid-August as it was exonerated of blame for this gas leak but was closed again at the end of the month due to an explosion in a rotary holding furnace. It resumed operations in November.

Health Impact

Nearly 90 girls were admitted to a hospital in 1997 after a suspected gas leak from the controversial Sterlite copper smelting plant. They suffered from vomiting and burning in the chest. A report citing Pollution Control Board sources attributed the leak to a factory experiment to recover copper from converter slag. There are reports of respiratory problems in residents living in the surrounding areas.

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