Gaps found in air pollution control measures at units in Edayar industrial area
The board officials stated that the inspections found lapses mainly in the operation and maintenance of odour control measures
Inspections conducted by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board's Environmental Surveillance Centre in Eloor revealed significant gaps in air pollution control measures at various industrial units in the Edayar industrial area. Specifically, seven out of the 20 units, including bone meal units, chicken waste rendering plants, and rubber processing units, were found to have poor emission control systems and inadequate maintenance of biofilter units for odor mitigation.
This was brought about by demands from elected representatives and environmentalists in Eloor municipality and Kadungalloor panchayat for immediate action against errant units. The board stated that the main lapses were in the operation and maintenance of odor control measures. As per the directives, these industries are required to install biofilters with biomedia for odor control.
The inspections found that the biofiltration inefficiencies were primarily due to improper selection of filling material and poor operation of the biofilter. Additionally, the units were found lacking in housekeeping measures and proper storage facilities for raw materials. Some units also lacked adequate ventilation and refrigeration systems.
Despite these issues, V. Narendra Kumar, president of the Edayar Small-Scale Industries Association, reported that compliance with odour emission standards has improved in most units following the installation of required measures by the Pollution Control Board.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
