T.N. Pollution Control Board forms expert panel to assess mercury contamination in Neyveli, Parangipettai

The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) has constituted a four-member technical expert committee to carry out detailed inspection and analyse water and soil samples to identify source of mercury contamination in ground water samples in Neyveli and Parangipettai in Cuddalore district.

The National Green Tribunal (Southern Zone) took suomoto cognisance of a report published by Poovulagin Nanbargal and Manthan Adhyayan Kendra that said high levels of mercury were found in soil and water samples in locations near Neyveli.

Based on the order of the NGT, the water and soil samples were collected from various locations and analyzed. The report showed that the level of mercury exceeded the acceptable limit of 0.0001 mg/L in some of the locations at Neyveli and Parangipettai, following which, a technical expert committee has been formed.

The committee headed by Balaji Kannan, Professor and Head, Department of Soil and Water Conservation Engineering, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University and comprising of three other members will conduct a detailed inspection in the surrounding areas of NLCIL Thermal Power Stations, Mines, IL& FS Tamil Nadu Power Company Limited, Parangipettai and identify and assess all the sources of mercury and its contamination by collecting and analysing surface water/groundwater samples and soil samples.

The committee will submit its report within three months with detailed findings, observations and remarks along with specific recommendations.