Different forms of microplastics detected along Edayar industrial stretch of Periyar

An analysis of water samples collected from the Edayar industrial stretch of the Periyar river conducted by the School of Environmental Studies at the Mahatma Gandhi University has found the presence of microplastics in the categories of fiber, fragment, film and foam appearing in blue, yellow and transparent colours.

The analysis was carried out as per the recommendation made by a joint committee set up by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board to probe the impact of the plastic dumping at the site of the now-defunct Sree Sakthi Paper Mills in the Edayar industrial area. The panel was set up as per the direction issued by the National Green Tribunal, which had issued directions to make the site free of any contamination.

The unit was closed in 2016 after the Pollution Control Board found that untreated effluents were being discharged from the industrial unit into the river. The industry was situated in 8.75 acres and about 81 cents were utilised for dumping plastic waste and incinerator ash generated from the processes.

As per the report furnished by the School of Environmental Studies, Mahatma Gandhi University, the microplastic analysis of two water samples collected from opposite the company site and Pathalam had revealed microplastic categories that include foam (sponge-like materials), fragment (irregularly shaped pieces of plastic) and film (thin, sheet-like plastic pieces). The analysis report showed the presence of micro plastic in both water and soil samples.

The committee observed that no comparison was possible for assessing the microplastic contamination in view of the lack of a standard with regard to screening or response level. It had concluded that there is currently no globally-standardised, permissible limit for microplastics in soil. The panel stated that establishing a universally-accepted threshold remains a complex challenge due to various factors.