The problem

Hema Dyechem Private Limited, formerly Hema Chemicals, operated a chromium sulfate manufacturing unit in the Gorwa Industrial Estate of Vadodara (a city about 115 kilometers south of Ahmedabad) from 1965 until 2001. Despite the enactment of the Hazardous Waste Rules in 1989, the company disposed of approximately 77,000 tons (estimated by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board) of toxic chromium waste in areas neighboring the unit. The laborers working in the factory were unaware of potential health risks, and used the chromium-rich sludge to fill up low-lying ditches in the neighborhood. They also mixed the sludge with cement to construct their houses and spread it around the boundaries of surrounding fields.

The abandoned plant site itself covers about 15,000 square feet and is highly contaminated with chromate salts. Yellow discoloration, a sign of chromate contamination, is obvious throughout the site and on building structures. This site clearly is in need of remediation.

The illegal dumping areas may cover as much as seven kilometers of filled trenches along roads in the vicinity of the factory. A study of this region is being conducted under the direction of the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) by the Delhi-based National Productivity Council.

Hema’s illegal dumping at this site has spurred the largest public interest litigation in Indian history. GPCB has sued the industry for Rs. 17 crores. The case is currently under appeal in the Supreme Court.

Health Impact

Findings of a study conducted by the National Institute of Occupational Health of Ahmedabad entitled ‘Report on Biological and Environmental Monitoring and Health Surveillance of Chromium on the exposed workers in Chemical Industry’ indicated serious health impacts to people living in the surroundings such as nasal septum perforation, dermatitis, and gangrene.
• Blood chromium levels exceeded permissible levels in 14.80% of the workers, in some cases, as high as 27 microgram/100ml. • Chromium related morbidity (symptoms and signs) associated with biochemical abnormality was noted in about 25% of the high-risk group of workers.

It was reported to the Supreme Court Committee that between 1999 and 2001, nine Hema Chemicals workers died due to chromium toxicity. Many of the workers reported gangrene.

Current Activity

Blacksmith visited the site on May 9 2005 and is interested in co-financing with the Gujarat Pollution Control Board for conducting epidemiological health studies to be conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Health.