Microplastics Found in Periyar’s Edayar Industrial Zone

Speedy Summary

• An analysis by the School of Environmental Studies, Mahatma Gandhi University, found microplastics in water samples from the Edayar industrial stretch of Kerala’s Periyar river.
• Microplastics observed include fiber, fragment, film, and foam in blue, yellow, and obvious colors.
• The study was carried out following recommendations by a joint committee set up by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board under instructions from the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
• The NGT directed cleanup measures due to contamination caused by plastic dumping at the now-defunct Sree sakthi Paper Mills site.
• The paper mill discharged untreated effluents into the river before its closure in 2016 and used 81 cents of its 8.75-acre facility for plastic waste disposal and incinerator ash dumping.
• Microplastic contamination was detected in both water and soil samples near the site; however, no global standard exists for permissible limits on microplastics in soil degradation assessments.

indian Opinion Analysis
The detection of microplastics along Kerala’s Periyar river reflects broader environmental challenges tied to industrial practices nationwide. While corrective actions like closing polluting units are a step forward, legacy pollution remains tough to address due to its long-term impact on ecosystems and public health. Furthermore, gaps in globally standardized thresholds for contaminants such as microplastics complicate efforts to measure progress or set actionable targets.

India must prioritize advancing research capacity for environmental monitoring while enforcing stricter regulations on industrial waste management practices moving forward. These findings indicate an urgent need not only for policy interventions but also public awareness about enduring industry standards that protect vital resources like rivers from enduring damage.

Read more: https://www.indianopinion.com/article-details?id=70029909