Is Kodaikanal polluted?

Is Kodaikanal polluted?

Besides being a popular tourist spot, Kodaikanal has been in the news for the past two decades since 2001, because of large-scale mercury pollution.

Where is mercury factory in India?

Kodaikanal
Background. The mercury thermometer factory was set up in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu State, in southern India in 1983. In 1987, Pond’s India came into the Unilever fold through the larger corporate acquisition of acquisition of Chesebrough-Pond’s.

What is the reason of Minamata disease?

Minamata disease is a poisoning disease that affects mainly the central nervous system and is caused by the consumption of large quantities of fish and shellfish living in Minamata Bay and its surroundings, the major causative agent being some sort of organic mercury compound.

What happened Kodaikanal?

The mercury contamination in Kodaikanal originated at a thermometer factory owned by Hindustan Unilever. In March, a public protest led by local workers’ union and international environmental organisation Greenpeace forced the company to shut down the factory.

Why is mercury banned in India?

India will have to phase out mercury within six to 10 years as the country has signed a global treaty – Minamata Convention – which makes it mandatory for the signatories to ban the use of the deadly nerve toxin in a phased manner.

Which company produces waste of mercury?

Mercury pollution in Kodaikanal The mercury contamination in Kodaikanal originated at a thermometer factory owned by Hindustan Unilever. Unilever acquired the thermometer factory from cosmetics maker Pond’s India Ltd.

Is it illegal to have mercury?

Mercury Control Laws in California California law restricts the level of mercury in some products (such as general purpose lights and packaging), and bans the sale of other mercury-containing products outright (such as mercury-containing thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, etc.).

What is the reason behind Minamata disease?

Why is Mercury banned in India?

How much mercury is toxic?

Blood mercury levels above 100 ng/mL have been reported to be associated with clear signs of mercury poisoning in some individuals (e.g., poor muscle coordination, tingling and numbness in fingers and toes).

Which heavy metal causes Minamata disease?

Minamata disease is a methylmercury poisoning with neurological symptoms and caused by the daily consump- tion of large quantities of fish and shellfish that were heavily contaminated with the toxic chemical generated in chemical factories and then discharged into the sea.

What is responsible for most of the mercury in the environment today?

Both volcanoes and forest fires send mercury into the atmosphere. Human activities, however, are responsible for much of the mercury that is released into the environment. The burning of coal, oil and wood as fuel can cause mercury to become airborne, as can burning wastes that contain mercury.

How do you dispose of mercury at home?

Until you can get rid of mercury, store it safely. Put the items that contains mercury in a zipper top bag and seal the bag. Place the sealed bag in a plastic container with a lid. Pack the container with kitty litter or newspapers to prevent breakage. Make sure the container is labeled “Mercury: Do Not Touch.”

Does mercury ever leave your body?

Once inorganic mercury enters the body and gets into the bloodstream, it moves to many different tissues. Inorganic mercury leaves your body in the urine or feces over a period of several weeks or months.

What is mercury pollution in Kodaikanal and how did it start?

Mercury pollution in Kodaikanal. The mercury contamination in Kodaikanal originated at a thermometer factory that was owned by Hindustan Unilever. Unilever acquired the thermometer factory from cosmetics maker Pond’s India Ltd.

Is Kodaikanal Lake contaminated?

Kodaikanal Lake, the most popular tourist attraction in South India, is also contaminated. Kodaikanal mercury poisoning is a proven case of mercury contamination at the hill station of Kodaikanal by Hindustan Unilever in the process of making mercury thermometers for export around the world.

What happened at the Kodaikanal factory?

It found that former workers of the factory had visible signs of mercury poisoning such as gum and skin allergy and related problems, ‘which appeared to be due to exposure to mercury’. The company claims that comprehensive occupational safety and health systems existed at the Kodaikanal factory prior to its closure in 2001.

Why did Hindustan Unilever shut down its Kodaikanal factory?

In 2001, Hindustan Unilever shut down its factory in Kodaikanal following a case of mercury poisoning due to the manufacture of Mercury based thermometers for export purpose. The case of Mercury poisoning was proven and the extent of the environmental abuse was second only due to the Bhopal disaster.