A recent study conducted by the NGO Toxics Link has highlighted the detrimental impact of industrial pollution on the residents of Delhi. The study, which focused on pollution hotspots, revealed that various industries, including lead acid battery recycling, landfill sites, and dyeing units without effluent treatment plants, contribute to adverse effects on the city’s inhabitants.
One of the most alarming findings of the study is the infiltration of pollutants into the soil, contaminating groundwater with heavy metals and other harmful substances. Industries examined in the study, such as lead acid battery recycling and thermal power plants, were identified as sources of groundwater contamination. For instance, the improper disposal of acid during lead acid battery recycling in Prem Nagar raised concerns about the percolation of lead oxide into groundwater.
The study also highlighted the potential contamination caused by thermal power plants, pointing to the leaching of heavy metals present in fly ash as a contributing factor. Landfills, lacking a proper “leachate collection system,” were identified as a major source of groundwater contamination, with areas like Okhla sanitary landfill exhibiting acidic groundwater.
The discharge of untreated dyes from dyeing units was identified as another significant contributor to contamination. The study noted that untreated water from these units, containing lead, cadmium, and caustic soda, is often released into drains or on the ground, potentially finding its way back into groundwater.
Compounding the issue, many of these pollution-generating units are situated in close proximity to residential areas in the city. The study pointed out that despite plans to shut down around 22,000 units in 2011, not much progress has been made in this regard.
Health experts have expressed concerns about the multifaceted risks associated with groundwater contamination. Dr. S Chatterjee of Apollo Hospital highlighted that individuals may experience adverse effects without realizing it, ranging from body aches to neurological problems due to prolonged exposure to heavy metals present in contaminated groundwater. The study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address industrial pollution and protect the health and well-being of Delhi’s residents.
