Killers at large

These are several industrial units in Medak district of Andhra Pradesh (AP) that have directly or indirectly polluted groundwater. AP Pollution control Board (APPCB) officials reveal that a company is releasing effluents with very high chemical oxygen demand levels into a nearby stream. Another company of Patancheru used to pump untreated effluents also into a nearby stream. A pharmaceutical company, was dumping sulphomethazole in the open. Today, say APPCB officials, all these companies are meeting environmental norms. "In fact, the last has acquired ISO 14001 certification," they point out.

A Textile Mill was dumping untreated effluents with high levels of sulphuric acid in an open stream 1.5 km away through a pipe. On July 17, 1999, APPCB found hexa-valent chromate dumped a long side the roads in Patancheru. After seeping into the groundwater, such pollutants can be lethal to those who drink the water. There are five units in the area that produce this waste, out of which three have internal landfill sites. Tishya Chatterjee, Member Secretary of APPCB, assures that the Board will soon catch the culprit.

APPCB officials also reveal the case of some other rogue units. Two companies, were caught pumping effluents into a nearyby pond in Kazipally. One is still sending effluent tankers to a near by pond. Another company, was caught dumping effluents near a pond.