Southern States - Andhra Pradesh   

PVC factory leads to acidification of air: expert

By Our Staff Reporter

NELLORE NOV. 15. B. Kotaiah, Head of the Department of Industrial Engineering, S.V. University, Tirupati, has concluded that hydrochloric acid (HCL) emitted by the proposed PVC factory leads to acidification of air by aquatic and terrestrial environment.

Prof. Kotaiah has been entrusted by the Jana Vignana Vedika to study the impact on aquaculture of Muttukur area following the proposal to set up a PVC factory at Krishnapatnam, near here.

Acidification of water causes solubilisation of toxic metals from bottom sediments and exert toxicity to fish. An abridged version of the study released here on Saturday by the JVV convenor, M.V. Ramanaiah, and other office-bearers claimed that air pollutants, liquid and solid wastes would be generated by the factory.

Even after treatment, waste residues would be present in liquid and gaseous wastes, which would have profound impact on fish and marine life. The backwaters coming through Buckingham Canal would have detrimental impact on nearby aquaculture farms. Also the groundwater would be polluted at alarming rate.

Vinyl chloride manomer (VCM), handled by the factory, is said to be a persistent organic chemical and non-biodegradable, which is highly soluble in water and poisonous to fish. It has been stated that ethylene has an anaesthesia effect on humans as well as fish and shellfish and other aquatic life including marine flora and fauna.

It can cause high ground water pollution potential. The PVC, it has been claimed would cause accumulation in the fish grills and cause mortality. Bio-accumulation of PVC can cause tainting of fish meat.

In another statement, the JVV has complimented Krishnapatnam panchayat for its unanimous resolution opposing the setting up of the PVC plant in the village. It appreciated the statement of the Information Minister, S. Chandramohan Reddy, opposing the plant. It urged the Minister to attend a public hearing on November 19 in this regard.

Meanwhile, the district unit of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha has given a `Chalo Krishnapatnam' call on November 19, coinciding with the hearing. The BJYM said it is against the setting up of the factory.

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