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Draft Report on

Site Assessment of Lead Pollution at

Picnic Garden Kolkata, India

GIS Enabled Environment & Neo-Graphic Centre 905 Devika Appartment, Plot no. 16, Sector- IV,

Vaishali, Ghaziabad – 201010E-mail: [email protected]

[email protected]

July, 2006

Site Assessment of Lead Pollution at Picnic Garden Kolkata, India

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1. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT LEAD Lead is the most abundant heavy metal in the earth’s crust and has been used for many centuries. Lead is a bluish gray metal having density of 11360 kg/m3, it melts at 327!C and its atomic weight is 207.2. Lead does not occur free in nature and is mainly found in the form of Lead Sulphide (PbS). It is extracted from its ore Galena (PbS), which contains about 86% of lead. Based on the raw material used for the lead metal it is described as primary lead or secondary lead. Primary lead refers to lead produced directly from mined ores, most commonly the Galena ore, which is usually found with other Sulphides ore such as Zinc, Copper & Silver. The metal bearing Sulphides are firstly ground and separated from waste by froth floatation. The separated metal bearing Sulphides are concentrated in to bulk Lead, Zinc and Copper concentrates respectively. The concentrates are normally dried to specific moisture content and then transported for smelting to produce primary Lead. Secondary Lead refers to Lead produced from Lead scraps, by way of recycling scrap such as Lead Acid Batteries (ULAB’S) and other miscellaneous scraps.

2. ADVERSE IMPACTS OF LEAD POLLUTION Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) emission from secondary lead smelting includes Lead compounds and Arsenic compounds among others. Population around secondary lead smelters can be exposed to Lead through inhalation or through ingestion of Lead that have settled on the soil in the vicinity of the smelter. Exposure to lead compounds occurs through inhalation or ingestion but the effects are the same regardless of the route of exposure. Chronic exposure of lead compounds results in adverse effect on the Blood, central nervous system, blood pressure, kidneys and Vitamin D metabolism. Childrens are particularly sensitive and exposure of Lead can also result in reduced cognitive development & reduced growth. Adverse effect on human reproduction has also been reported. Lead compounds can be persistent in the environment and have the potential to accumulate in food chains. Exposure to Lead is known to be associated with a variety of significant and potentially irreversible health effects. The effects of high level of exposure of lead include lethality, central nervous system breakdown (encephalopathy) and kidney effects. Lead is classified as possible human carcinogen based upon the fact that exposure of animals to high level of lead have produce cancer usually in kidneys.

“Lead Poisoning remains the most common and societal devastating environmental disease of young children.”Public Health Service - L. Sullivan, 1991


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3. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA

Area City : 102 sq. kms Metropolitan Area : 1380 sq. km. Altitude 17 feet above sea level

Population City : 4.85 million ( 2004) Metropolitan Area : 15.97 million (2001) Population Density 24760 / sq. km. (1991)

Geographical Location Latitude: 220 82' North Longitude: 880 20' East Kolkata is close to Tropic of Cancer and is on the banks of the Hugli river, a branch of the great river Ganges. The Bay of Bengal and the Sunderbans is about 80 -100 kms. from the city.

Topography & Soil Built on flat sedimentary marshy land, Kolkata is dotted with moist deciduous groves and tropical wetlands, most of which has been converted for fish farming use. The soil of Calcutta has been formed by the alluvial deposits of the Gangetic delta and is elevated not more than 5 to 6 meters

Picnic Garden is located in Kolkata,the State Capital of West Bengal. Thedensely populated Picnic Garden, wardno 66 & 67 of Kolkata Municipal Councilis inhabited by around 65,000population who lives almost in slum likecondition except some scatteredbuildings belonging to upper middleincome group. Most of the populationi.e. around 85% is native of theneighboring States of Bihar and UttarPradesh and having low income. Thearea is having mixed land use and isindustrial-cum-residential in nature.This is one of the low lying areas ofKolkata and situated near the SolidWaste dump site of Dhapa in its Eastand Tangra, known for its tannery beltin its north. The area is dotted withponds but as revealed by localpopulation they do not use pond orhand pump water for drinking purposes.The pond water is used for bathing,cleaning of clothes, utensils and otherhousehold purposes. It was seen thatlocal people are fishing in those pondsfor personal consumption.

Climate As Kolkata is situated almost in the torrid zone within a degree of the Tropic of Cancer, the climate is less uniform than the places nearer to the Equator. Furthermore, the contrast of the seasons is not so much discernible here as is evident in the northern region of the country. In fact, three major seasons are conspicuous here. The city enjoys fairly stable, warm and humid climate throughout the year

Average Temperature Summer ( April - July ) 24-38 0C Winter ( Nov - Feb ) 12-27 0C Rainfall 160 cm/year ( June - Sept)

Amenities The KMC supplies potable water to the city, sourced from the River Hooghly. The water is purified and treated at Palta water pumping station located in North 24 Parganas. Almost all of Kolkata's daily refuse of 2500 tonnes is transported to the dumping grounds in Dhapa to the east of the town. Agriculture on this dumping ground is encouraged for natural recycling of garbage and sewer water. Parts of the city still lack sewage facilities leading to unsanitary methods of waste disposal

City Administration The city is divided into 141 administrative wards. Each of these wards elects a councillor to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). The Corporation, through the borough committees, maintains government-aided schools, hospitals and municipal markets and partakes in urban planning and road maintenance


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4. CONTAMINANT TYPE, SOURCE AND QUANTITY

4.1 Nature of Contamination The wastes generated from secondary lead smelter pollute air, water and land and thus, most importantly our living environment. The deterioration of the environment is enormous and often irreversible. The huge solid wastes generated by lead smelters can be either very reactive, corrosive, toxic or hazardous to health and human welfare. It is an established fact that traces of harmful materials are entering the food chain through drinking water, air and food materials. Secondary lead smelting and refining has been identified as a risky industrial process. These processes generate huge quantity of solid waste which is generally dumped within the same locality.

4.2 The Site Picnic Garden is one of the major clusters of secondary lead smelters operating in and around Kolkata. Other industrial activities are leather industry, iron fabrication, motor vehicle repairing with some household activity like pottery and washing of clothes. As per discussions held with the Officials of the West Bengal Pollution Control Board out of the originally located 12 units, 3 units located at 173 Picnic Garden Road have been closed and the rest are under operation at 157 Picnic Garden. The list of the lead smelter units in operation in the area is depicted in Table 1:

Table 1: Name and Productivity of the Lead Smelters

S. No.

Name of the Smelters

Raw Material Production Capacity Installed

Product

1. M/S Azad Metal Lead Acid Battery Plates/Lead Scrap

300 MTA Lead Ingots

2. M/S Rajnath Metal Lead Acid Battery Plates 300 MTA Lead Ingots 3. M/S Shivshankar

Metal Lead Acid Battery Plates 150 MTA Lead Ingots

4. M/S Shree Ganesh Metal

Lead Acid Battery Plates 150 MTA Lead Ingots

5. M/S Kashi Metal Lead Acid Battery Plates 300 MTA Lead Ingots 6. M/S Jaishambhu Metal Lead Acid Battery

Plates/Lead Scrap 150 MTA Lead Ingots

7. M/S Shivshakti Metal Lead Acid Battery Plates 300 MTA Lead Ingots/ Battery Plate

8. M/S Ramdular and Brothers

Lead Acid Battery Plates/Lead Scrap

150 MTA Lead Ingots

9. M/S Singh Metal Company

Lead Acid Battery Plates 300 MTA Lead Ingots


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The following legally closed industries are practically in operation:

1. Laxmi Metal 2. Kailash Metal 3. Hind Metal

4.3 The Process The smelters situated at Picnic Garden

are small in size with an installed furnace smelting capacity in the range of 30-32 kg/hr. The furnaces are locally modified forms of Blast/Cupola Furnace called Bhattis. These Bhattis are cylindrical in shape and mainly made of refractory bricks. Molten metal along with slag is collected from the bottom of the Bhatti into an open pit below the ground level.

The raw material comprising of lead scrap, sinter and charcoal is charged into the Bhatti manually from the charging door and are heated at more than 800ºC for 8 – 10 hours. Combustion of wood charcoal provides necessary heat for smelting in the Bhatti. The lead scrap, lead ash, lead dross, slag is mainly used as feed material. Lead slags are repeatedly used as raw material along with other lead scraps.

The lead smelting operation is generally dry in nature except water required for emission control system and domestic purposes. Risk of soil contamination is high in secondary lead smelters beside its air pollution potential. The air pollution has been controlled since most of the industries have installed cyclones, bag filters and scrubbers as Emission Control Systems. In the Picnic Garden area, industry people generally wash bag filters in the pond located in the vicinity.

Lead Scrap, Dross, Ash Slag Etc

Preparation of Feed ForFurnace / Bhatti.

Wood Charcoal

Furnace / Bhatti

Air

Molten Slag+

Molten Metal

Lead Ingots

Segregation of reusableSlag

Waste Slag

Emissions

SettledDust

ECS

Cleaned Gases

Process Layout For Lead Smelting in ‘Bhattis’

Lead Scrap, Dross, Ash Slag Etc

Preparation of Feed ForFurnace / Bhatti.

Wood Charcoal

Furnace / Bhatti

Air

Molten Slag+

Molten Metal

Lead Ingots

Segregation of reusableSlag

Waste Slag

Emissions

SettledDust

ECS

Cleaned Gases

Process Layout For Lead Smelting in ‘Bhattis’

Bhatti- EncloseMannualcharging Door

Bhatti

Port-hole

Motten Lead

Floating SlagFuqitive emissions

AIR

To Emission Control System

Sinter+

Charcoal

Typical Lead Smelting Bhatti.

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---------------

! ! !! ! !! ! !

Bhatti- EncloseMannualcharging Door

Bhatti

Port-hole

Motten Lead

Floating SlagFuqitive emissions

AIR

To Emission Control System

Sinter+

Charcoal

Typical Lead Smelting Bhatti.

------

---------------

! ! !! ! !! ! !


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As observed, the major routes of contamination in the lead smelters are given in Table 2.

Table 2: Contamination in Lead Smelter

Soil Solid Waste Air Water 1. Rainwater run-off

over raw material yard

2. Storage of raw material over permeable soil

3. Fall out of lead laden dust over permeable soil

4. The weak acid from the battery is a major source of liquid waste in addition to rainwater run off.

Major source of solid waste is waste slag which is mainly silicates and metal sulphate with some lead and other metal which are classified as Hazardous Waste and been stored in concrete pits made in each factory premises which will be disposed in the TSDF site under construction.

1. Emission from Bhatti

2. Fugitive emissions from molten metal

3. Fugitive Emission from handling raw materials

4. Fugitive emissions from charging door

5. Fall out of lead bearing dust from Chimney to adjoining areas

The weak acid from the battery is a major source of liquid waste in addition to rainwater run off which carries lead dust to adjacent pond.

Industrial Landscape of Picnic Garden


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5. STANDARDS FOR LEAD POLLUTION CONTROL IN INDIA Under following Acts/Rules the lead pollution is regulated:

! Water Prevention and Control of Pollution Act, 1974 ! Air Prevention and Control of Pollution Act, 1981 ! Environmental Protection Act, 1986 ! Hazardous Waste Management & Handling Rules, 1989 (Amended in 2003) ! Battery (Management & Handling) Rules, 2001

6. SOIL AND WATER QUALITY 6.1 Secondary Data The data generated by CPCB during 2000 in the study area is given in Table 3, 4 and 5.

Table 3: Lead Content in waste Slag – ready for Disposal S. No Name of Industry Concentration of Lead

(in %) 1 M/S Azad Metal Works 2.6 2 M/S Shiv Shakti Metal Works 4.5 3 M/S Sree Ganesh Metal 2.9 4 M/S Jaisambhu Metal Company - 5 M/S Kashi Metal Works 1.6 6 M/S Ramdular & Bros. 6.3 7 M/S Singh Metal Company 1.9

Table 4: Impact of Secondary Lead Industries on Water Quality

of Ponds Near Picnic Garden Area Permanent (Concentration in mg/l except pH) Parameters

Location

pH TDS Dissolved Oxygen

COD Cadmium Iron Lead Zinc

Pond Adjancent to M/S Azad Metal Works

8.1 1226 13.1 44 NT 0.9 0.06 0.07

Pond on Eastern Side of M/S Singh Metal Works

7.4 944 7.0 26 NT 0.02 0.03 NT

Ponds on North side of M/S Singh Metal Works

7.6 1251 7.6 44 NT 0.87 0.05 0.04


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Table 5: Contamination of Soil Sediments in the ponds near Picnic Garden Area

Location Concentration in mg/kg(dry weight)

Cadmium Iron Lead Zinc Pond Adjacent to M/S Anand Metal Works

0.01 27 84 1.7

Pond on Eastern Side of M/S Singh Metal Works

0.01 18 114 0.14

Ponds on North side of M/S Singh Metal Works

0.01 29 95 0.09

Observation: In the Sediments of the pond significant quantities of waste slag was found. The above data generated by CPCB indicate that Lead content in waste slag generated by industry is very high and generally exceeding the standard prescribed under Hazardous Waste Management Rules. It also indicates the recovery of lead from battery scrap from these units is very poor.

6.2 Primary Data Collection during Study

The stratified sampling was done by technical team of GreenC during 26-28th June, 2006 for soil, water, sludge and kitchen dust. All the samples have been analyzed in the MoEF approved laboratory notified under EP Act, 1986. Details of the samples collected are given below:

6.2.1 Soil Samples

1. Smelting Areas

The site of 9 active smelters was divided into 8 equally sized areas. From each quadrant 5 parts of samples at 30 metres depth have been taken and combined to make the sample, a representative one. Therefore a total of 8 representative samples consisting 40 individual samples were collected for recycle area.


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2. Perimeter Sampling: Twelve soil samples were taken along the perimeter of the area on all 4 sides. This was taken from residential backward, children health clinic, schools, playgrounds and near hand pump. This analysis helps in background concentration of maximum exposure potential to human being specially exposure to children of the area. The analytical result of soil samples are given in Table 6

Table 6: Lead (as Pb) Content (in mg/kg) of soil samples of Smelting Area and its perimeter

Sample no Standard Smelting Area Perimeter Area

Remarks

SQ 1 300 3136 1927 Exceeding Limits SQ 2 300 4419 1783 Exceeding Limits SQ 3 300 5271 1828 Exceeding Limits SQ 4 300 3225 1861 Exceeding Limits SQ 5 300 4869 1672 Exceeding Limits SQ 6 300 4526 1935 Exceeding Limits SQ 7 300 3772 1428 Exceeding Limits SQ 8 300 4625 1558 Exceeding Limits SQ 9 300 - 652 Exceeding Limits SQ 10 300 - 1162 Exceeding Limits SQ 11 300 - 890 Exceeding Limits SQ 12 300 - 911 Exceeding Limits The above data indicates heavy Lead pollution in soil in smelting area and also in neighborhood areas.

6.2.2 Water Samples Seven surface water samples were collected from the adjacent ponds (stagnant water) of the secondary smelters. In addition, 5 samples of ground water were collected from hand pumps located in the recycle area and its residential backyard.

Table 7: Lead (as Pb) Content (in mg/kg) in surface and ground water samples

of Smelting Area and along its perimeter S. No. Type Standard Lead (as Pb)) Remarks 01 Ground 0.05 0.01 OK 02 Ground 0.05 0.02 OK 03 Ground 0.05 0.01 OK 04 Ground 0.05 0.05 OK 05 Ground 0.05 0.05 OK 06 Surface 0.05 0.09 Not OK 07 Surface 0.05 0.07 Not OK


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S. No. Type Standard Lead (as Pb)) Remarks 08 Surface 0.05 0.15 Not OK 09 Surface 0.05 0.09 Not OK 10 Surface 0.05 0.16 Not OK 11 Surface 0.05 0.20 Not OK 12 Surface 0.05 0.20 Not OK

It can be concluded the surface water is polluted as almost all pond water samples Lead is exceeding the prescribed standard.

6.2.3 Sludge & Kitchen Dust One sample each of sludge and kitchen dust were collected and analyzed. A single sample of sludge is having lead content of 9728 mg/kg. The same has been sent for TCLP (Toxicity Characteristics Leaching Procedure) test. A single floor dust wipe sample was taken from kitchen for analysis. The sampling site measures 3 ft X 1.5 ft and taken from middle of the floor and kitchen table and measures 365 mcg/ft2. 1

6.2.3 Leachability Study of Lead Dust The dust sample collected for the heavy metal Pb and Toxic Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) method of US-EPA was adopted to examine leaching characteristics of the samples for the metal Pb and the results are presented in Table 8. Since the metal (Pb) concentrations by total metal analysis were found more than 20 times the TCLP limit (5 mg/kg as per US-EPA), TCLP test was also performed for leachability study. The concentration of the metal Pb in the dust samples collected from Lead Smelter Unit after conducting the TCLP were found well below the 20 times of the TCLP limit as per USEPA and hence the samples pass TCLP Limits.

Table 8: TCLP Test Results Parameters Unit Value

Analysis Results of Dust Sample Collected from Lead Smelter Unit Lead (Pb) mg/Kg 9728

TCLP Results of Dust Sample Collected from Lead Smelter Unit Lead (Pb) mg/Kg 73

1 The US EPA Lead floor dust hazard standard is 40 mcg/sf.


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The result indicates that leaching is not there which can also be verified from the ground water samples.

7. HUMAN EXPOSURE & HEALTH IMPACT

Lead has many negative health impacts on human beings, especially children. Children are known to absorb lead 5 to 8 times higher than adults. Lead poisoning resulting from air pollution is reported in areas near to lead smelting operations. Excessive exposure also leads to death. It has been found that lead has characteristics of neurodevelopment toxicities which affect the children from the fetal development to early brain development.2 Chronic lead poisoning shows symptoms like diarrhea, colic, nervous disorders, swollen joints, lethargy, stupor and metabolic disorders.

In the Picnic Garden area, nearly 10,000 people are residing in and having daily interaction with contaminated soil. Since upto 200 m from the smelting area, lead content in the soil is exceeding the standard, it can be concluded that soil contamination is far reaching in this area. As consulted with local residents and Anganwadi Workers, the major health problems are:

Kidney problem Respiratory problems Lungs problems Liver Problem Eye problems in case of Children Still births & abortion Swelling of stomach and lymphatic glands

Lead has adverse neurological effects with decrease in IQ and reading ability in your children. Blood lead level as low as 10 micrograms per deciliter (mg/dl) are associated with harmful effects on children’s learning and behaviour. At extremely high lead levels (70 mg/dl) seizure, coma and even death may occur.

2 World Health Organization, 2005, Environmental Health Impact from Exposure to Metals, New Delhi


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The children are having evident disorders but no study has been done to establish the link between lead pollution and its health impact on the population. Many of the NGOs have also been consulted but nobody is working on such issue on the Picnic Garden Area due to its socio-political nature. Greenpeace once tried to work in this area and even found lead in cow’s milk. But due to some local pressure they

had to leave the area without completing their investigation. (Source of Diagram: ATSDR, 1992)

8. SITE STAKEHOLDERS – MEETING DETAILS

Meetings were organized with various stakeholders during the visit to the site. The meetings were mainly in the form of Focused Group Discussions and across the various sections of the society. The main objective of the stakeholders meeting was

150

10

20

30

40

50

100

Death

EncephalopathyNephropathyFrank Anemia

Colic

Hemoglobin Synthesis

Vitamin D Metabolism

Encephalopathy

Frank Anemia

Decreased Longevity

Hemoglobin Synthesis

Nephropathy

Peripheral NeuropathiesInfertility (MEN)

Systolic Blood Pressure (MEN)Hearing Acuity

Erythrocyte Protoporphyrin(Women)

Hypertension (?)

Nerve Conduction Velocity

Erythrocyte ProtoporphyrinVitamin D Metabolism(?)

DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITYIQHEARINGGROWTH

Transplacental Transfer

Blood Lead(ug Pb/dl)

- Low birth weight- Miscarriages, Stillbirth

- Premature birth

CHILDRENCHILDREN ADULTSADULTS


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to understand the nature of problems faced by the people and what they perceive the solutions to be. They were also conducted to hear the perceptions of the various sections of the population, including owners of smelters, workers, local residents and officials of local organizations.

The stakeholders meetings were held in two phases during 26-30th June, 2006

and 10-15th June, 2006. The list of key persons interviewed and some of those who were part of the consultations are given below.

A Government Officials

(i) Dr. A. Manoharan, Scientist of CPCB (ii) Dr. R. B. Lal, Scientist of CPCB (iii) Mr. Deepak Chakraborty, Chief Scientist of WBPCB (ii) Mr. Shyamal Adhikari, SEE of WBPCB (iii) Ms. Supriti Guha, AEE of WBPCB

B People’s Representative (i) Ms. Deepu Das, Councilor

C Owners of Smelters (i) Mr. A. K. Chakraborty (ii) Mr. A. P. Singh

(iii)Mr. Muralidhar (iv)Mr. Vijay Singh (v) Mr. Ram Dhani Singh

D Workers of Smelters (i) Ms. Asha Singh (ii) Mr. Golap Sahu (iii)Mr. Swapan Pramanik (iv)Mr. RP Singh

E Local residents

(i) Mr. Ranjit Kumar Ghosh, office bearer from a NGO, Tiljala Amra Shabai

(ii) Mr. Amal Kumar Mondal (pharmacist) and Ms. Jogmaya Pandit (nurse) Urban Community Health Centre, Tiljala

(iii) Ms. Indu Singh, teacher of school run by local club Tiljala Amra Sabai.

(iv) Ms. Asha Singh, School Teacher (v) Mr. Pavitra Kumar Sarkar, office bearer of a NGO, Panchananda

Sevak Samiti


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9. KEY FINDINGS On the basis of the public consultations and interaction with the various stakeholders, the following aspects were found. A. Working Conditions:

" Each of the industry is having about 10-12 workers on an average. All the workers are employed on a part time basis and work on 8 hourly shifts. The duration for which a worker is employed in a smelter is maximum 5 years and in between they take one month leave in every 4 months due to the nature of job. Entire workforce is being replaced by new batches every six months

" No occupational safety measures are taken by the workers and exposures to fumes and fugitive dust make them occasionally unconscious and stomach ache and cramps is a regular feature. Inhalation of fumes gives rise to instant stomach aches and swellings of limbs.

" The wage of the workers varies from 1500-2500 per month. It was found that many of the workers are not even getting the minimum wages. Most of the workers are from Bihar and UP, and Bengal’s contribution to the labour force is only 10%.

" As consulted, the health status of the workers is very low. However they do not get any leave because of illness and thus looses income. It was found that there is unity among the owners. As a result the workers are scared and are always scared of loosing their job. So they avoid raising their voice against exploitation.


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B. Living Conditions

" The living conditions are unhygienic and as the workers are living in the same factory premises. They are exposed to lead pollution for 24 hours.

" The sources of water are all polluted and generally not fit for human consumption. The workers and the local people utilize the pond water for their daily need like washing etc except for drinking purposes. Fishing is also done for daily consumption in these ponds. It was also found that the factory people generally wash their bag filters in the pond.

" The whole area where the workers and residents stay is full of lead and other metal wastes. In a study conducted by a reputed environmental NGO, lead was even found in the cow’s milk.

10. POTENTIAL BARRIERS " Owners of the smelters are not willing to co-operate with agencies that

try to upgrade the living and working condition in the area. Apparently they enjoy support from certain corners that empowered them to act so.

" All the workers are casual labours and thus they cannot demand for any facilities or safeguards.

" There are no active organizations working in the area. As a result there has been no health survey and the health needs of the people have never been assessed.

" As the workers do not stay in the area for long periods, they are not concerned with the working conditions and the existing pollution. It was found that there is a general apathy among the people regarding their own living condition

11. RECOMMENDATIONS The following recommendations are made on the basis of the findings and the observation during the study.

A. Technical

" Performance of pollution control equipments (PCE) installed in lead smelting units should be evaluated by doing actual source-emission monitoring and also check the compliance status with respect to notified standard for lead which is 10 mg/nm3.

Lead in work place area should be monitored using CPCB sampling protocol to ascertain the level of exposure of Lead to workers. It has been observed during the study the fugitive emission during charging time is very high.


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" Lead in blood and urine should be tested for exposed workers in lead smelters and also nearby population especially in children in a systematic way. A full-fledged health impact study should be undertaken.

" The health impact study would require certain systematic awareness programme through stake holder group about the ill effects of lead, since socio-political environment might not be conducive for health impact study. This may require Government patronization.

" The study has shown that up to 200 meters from the lead smelters entire soil is contaminated in terms of lead content. A detail study should be conducted for demarcation on soil pollution and its impact on food chain. Lead in soil, vegetation and aquatic life should be monitored in the nearby area (at least 2 km radius).

" Bioaccumulation of metals especially lead in fish samples and other vegetables cultivated in the polluted area and its vicinity is to be studied to assess the extent of contamination in food materials.

" Extensive monitoring of wastewater (drains) and fresh water quality samples of surface, groundwater and drinking water (at consumer level) is to be carried to assess the extent of contamination of lead and other metals in aquatic system

" An extensive survey of blood lead levels and health status of workers, public especially children is to be carried out to assess the health status of community.

" Assessment of the levels of contamination of lead metal in cattle milk is to be carried out

" A joint healthy coordination is to be created between factory owners, employees and the public for effective improvement of environmental condition.

" A survey on public awareness level about the environmental pollution problem, through Questionnaire / interview can be carried to assess the extent of awareness among the

Pictures of Possible Best Practices


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public so as to plan for active participation of public for pollution abatement.

" Screening of all children for IQ test scores is to be carried out for assessment of IQ levels of children for further planning on Lead pollution abatement.

" Metrological data like temperature, humidity rainfall, no. of rainy days, wind speed wind direction are to be collected regularly for one year assessing the role of meteorological condition on ambient lead concentration.

B. General

" The local political leaders should be mobilized that may work as link between the community and the owners of the lead smelter units.

" Formation of stakeholders group should be encouraged so that the community becomes a pressure group for environment management. Community-based organizations and NGOs should be encouraged to come forward and take up the responsibility to becoming a part for the restoration of quality of life.

" Through stake holder groups awareness should be generated among the workers and the local residents about healthy practices and the ways of dealing with the polluted environment preventive measures so that the people have a better quality of life.

" It was observed that the educational status of the owners is not very high. As a result many of them are not aware of their responsibilities towards the community. The owners and the workers of the smelters should be trained for better housekeeping and good operational practices, occupational safety measures and to make aware of the risks involved with lead smelting.

Annexure -I

1

REPORT ON CHARACTERIZATION & LEACHABILITY STUDY OF LEAD DUST FROM LEAD SMELTER UNIT

INTRODUCTION The term Hazardous Wastes means a solid waste or combination of solid wastes because of the quantity, concentration, physical, chemical or infectious characteristics may

! Cause, or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible, or incapacitating reversible illness, or

! Pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, or disposed off, or otherwise managed.

Probably the most prevalent risk associated with hazardous waste management is the potential for groundwater contamination. When disposed off on land in facilities not designed for full containment, hazardous wastes can leach into adjacent aquifers and thereby affect water. Leachability test is the most accepted method regarding environmental effects of toxic substances including heavy metals. Considering the seriousness of the hazardous waste management, The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India has promulgated the Hazardous Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 1989 under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and subsequently amended time to time. As per the said Rule, “Every occupier handling, or a recycler recycling, hazardous wastes (as listed in Schedule – 1) shall make an application in the prescribed form to the Member-Secretary, State Pollution Control Board or Committee, as the case may be or any officer designated by the State Pollution Control Board or Committee for the grant of authorization for any of the said activities”. The characterization of different wastes, generated due to various activities forms one of the vital components to comply with the said Rules. RESULTS The description of collected dust samples collected from the Lead Smelter Unit along with the dates of sampling has been presented Table 1.0. The analysed data for the heavy metal Pb has been presented in Table 2.0. The methodology, applied for the analysis of the respective parameters has also been given as a part of this report. Toxic Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) method of US-EPA was adopted to examine leaching characteristics of the samples for the metal Pb and the results are presented in Table 3.0.

QUALITY ASSURANCE Performance of the methods, applied for the analysis of the respective parameters, was checked through the addition of standard solution to the samples and recovery was

Annexure -I

2

studied. In all the cases, recovery was more or less satisfactory. Samples were analysed in duplicate to study the repeatability and variation among the duplicates was negligible.

TABLE - 1.0

Description of Waste : Dust sample collected from Lead Smelter Unit

Sr. No. Description of Sample Date of Sampling 1 Lead dust sample 27.06.2006

TABLE – 2.0

ANALYSIS RESULTS OF DUST SAMPLE OF COLLECTED FROM LEAD SMELTER UNIT

Sl. No. Parameters Unit Value

1 Lead (Pb) mg/Kg 9728

TABLE – 3.0 TCLP RESULTS OF DUST SAMPLE COLLECTED FROM LEAD SMELTER

UNIT

Sl. No. Parameters Unit Value

1 Lead (Pb) mg/Kg 73 METHODOLOGY DETERMINATION OF LEAD: PRINCIPLE The Lead in general are digested in mineral acids, viz. Nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, etc and mixtures of mineral acids. The digested metal ions in solutions are estimated using atomic absorption spectrophotometer principles. REAGENTS

i) Conc. HNO3 : Reagent Grade and Spectroscopy Grade ii) Conc. HCl : Reagent Garde and Spectroscopy Grade iii) H2O2 (30% or 100 vol) : Analytical Grade iv) DDW: Double distilled water with a conductivity less than 3 uS/cm. v) Dil. HNO3 (1 :1): Prepare required volume of 1:1 diluted HNO3 by adding

equal volumes of Conc. HNO3 ( Spectroscopy Grade) and DDW.

Annexure -I

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vi) HCl (1:1) Prepare required volume of 1:1 diluted HCl by adding equal volumes of Conc. HCl (Spectroscopy grade) and DDW.

vii) Reagent Blank Solution: Slowly add 100 ml Con. HNO3 to 250 ml DDW in 1 L volumetric flask with constant cooling. Add 30 ml H2O2 followed by 50 ml Conc. HCl with cooling under tap water. Make the solution up to 1 L with DDW.

LEAD STOCK SOLUTION : (100 MG/L)

Dissolve 0.1598 g Pb(NO3)2 ( mole fraction Pb = 0.6256), weighed accurately to at least four significant figures, in a minimum amount of 1:1 HNO3. Add 10 ml 1:1 HNO3 and dilute to 1 L with DDW. (1 ml = 0.1 mg Pb).

PROCEDURE

SAMPLE PREPARATION METHOD

1. Weigh a representative sample of 1.00 to 2.00 g portion and transfer to

250 ml beaker. 2. Add 10 ml of 1:1 HNO3, mix the slurry, and cover the beaker with a watch

glass. Heat the contents of the beaker to 95oC and reflux for 10 to 15 min. without boiling.

3. Allow the sample to cool, add 5 ml Conc. HNO3, replace the watch glass and reflux for 30 min. Repeat this last step to ensure complete oxidation using a ribbed watch glass.

4. Allow the solution to evaporate to 5 ml without boiling, while maintaining minimum of 2 to 3 ml volume of solution over the bottom of the beaker.

5. Cool the sample; add 2 ml DDW and 3 ml of H2O2. Cover the beaker with watch glass and return the covered beaker to the hot plate for warming and to start the peroxide reaction. Care must be taken to ensure that losses do not occur due to excessively vigorous effervescence. Heat until the effervescence. Heat until the effervescence subsidized and cool the beaker.

6. Continue to add H2O2 in 1 ml aliquots with warming until the effervescence is minimal .Do not add more than 10 ml H2O2.

7. Add 5 ml of Conc. HCl and 10 ml with DDW. Filter the sample. The diluted digested solution contains approximately 5% (v/v) HNO3. The sample is now ready for analysis by flame AA.

8. After cooling, dilute to 100 ml with DDW. Filter the sample. The diluted digested solution contains approximately 5% (v/v) HNO3. The sample is now ready for analysis by flame AA.

ANALYTICAL PROCEDURE

1. Prepare a series of working calibration standard metal solutions (minimum

5 working standards for lead) in the working range indicated for lead.

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2. Follow the manufactures operating instructions strictly to operate the AAS instrument.

3. Choose the proper lamp for analysis; allow the lamp to warm up for a minimum 15 minutes unless operated in a double-beam mode.

4. Check the alignment of instrument, position of monochromator at correct wavelength.

5. Select the proper monochromator slit width, and adjust the current as per manufacturer’s recommendation.

6. Light the flame and regulate flow of fuel and oxidant. 7. Adjust the burner and nebulizer flow rate for maximum percent absorption

and stability. 8. Aspirate reagent blank and working calibration standard metal solutions of

the metal solution of the metal analyte under investigation. 9. Record the absorbance /concentration of metal analyte in reagent blank

and working standard metal solutions. Begin aspiration with the reagent blank solution and working towards the highest working standard solution of the analyte.

10. Aspirate the samples under the same analytical conditions of AAS and record the absorbance/concentration values.

11. Repeat the steps 7 and 9 till a consistent and reproducible absorbance values are achieved and record average readings.

12. Prepare calibration curve by plotting the concentrations of the standards against absorbance values.

13. Dilute the sample (if necessary) with acidified water. (Dilute the sample to ensure the absorbance of sample lies in the range of minimum and maximum concentration range of minimum and maximum concentration range of standards).

14. Run a check standard and reagent blank at regular intervals of sample analysis or for every batch of samples as per your Laboratory’s Quality Policy.

15. Known Standards must be run each time a sample run or series of samples is run. CALCULATION

Calculation of metal analyse in mg per kg of sample on ‘dry weight’

(C1 – C2) X V X DF Conc. of Metal mg/kg = (dry weight basis) DW C1 = Concentration of metal in the sample (obtained form the calibration graph or direct read out from the instrument). mg/L C2 = Concentration of metal in the blank, mg/L V = Total volume of make up solution of sample (sample digestion

solution),ml

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DF = Dilution Factor of digestion solution DW = Dry Weight of Sample, g

Notes : 1. Air-C2H2 : Air – Acetylene, N2O-C2H2 : Nitrous Oxide – Acetylene 2. Refer Instrument Manual for specific details

REFERENCES 1. ‘Manual on Sampling, Analysis and Characterisation of Hazardous Wastes’

Laboratory Analytical Tachnique’ Series : LATS/16/2003-04. Central Pollution Control Board, Parivesh Bhawan , Delhi – 110 032.

TOXICITY CHARACTERISTIC LEACHING PROCEDURE

TOXICITY CHARACTERISTIC LEACHING PROCEDURE (TCLP)

METAL LEACHATE SAMPLE PREPARATION & TEST

METHODS

TOTAL METAL ANALYSIS

METHOD 3050 & 7471

METAL CONCENTRATIONS ARE LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO 20 TIMES

TCLP LIMITS?

SAMPLE PASSES

TCLP LIMITS

TCLP EXTRACTION PROCEDURE

METHOD 1311

SAMPLE DIGESTION FOR

METAL

AAS ANALYSIS FOR DIGESTATES

LEAD : METHOD 7420

METAL CONCENTRATIONS

ARE LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO 20

TIMES TCLP LIMIS?

SAMPLE FAILS TCLP

LIMITS

YES NO

YES

NO

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! Method no. are of US-EPA. Since the metal (Pb) concentrations by total metal analysis were found more than 20 times the TCLP limit (5 mg/kg as per US-EPA), TCLP test was also performed for leachability study.

EPA TEST METHOD 1311 – TCLP TOXICITY CHARACTERISTIC LEACHING PROCEDURE

The TCLP, or Toxicity Characteristic Leaching (not Leachate) Procedure is designed to determine the mobility of both organic and inorganic analytes present in liquid, solid, and multiphasic wastes. The Millipore Hazardous Waste Filtration System [ZHE : Zero Head Space Extractor] has been designated by the US-EPA as a suitable apparatus for Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) and is used in the toxicity determination of a solid waste in compliance with the US-EPA method 1311 for TCLP for semi - and non-volatiles. This system is designed for absolute filtration and separation of solids from liquids by pressure filtration. The 1.5 L extension barrel, top and bottom plates, under drain support, filter support system, relief valve, and connectors are all constructed of stainless steel to avoid extraneous contamination from the holder assembly itself, all surfaces of the components (exposed to the test sample) are Teflon coated. The tri-Clover (TC) connections of the inlet / outlet of the system allow for ease in removal, cleaning, and maintenance. TCLP requires a 0.7 µm glass fibre filter without binder [Millipore’s AP 40 Filter]. Most 142 mm filters can be used with this system.

SAMPLE FILTRATION

1. Take a representative sample (minimum size: 100 g).Perform the necessary

extraction procedure outlined in EPA Method 1311. 2. Pour the extraction fluid into the unit through the Tri-Clover (TC) opening using a

funnel. Attach the TC hose adaptor to the top plates TC connection using the stainless steel TC clamp provided.

3. Place an appropriate receiving vessel below the TC sanitary outlet or attach a PVC hose to the TC adaptor and run the hose to an appropriate container.

4. Increase pressure on the nitrogen tank slowly. When the liquid starts to flow from the assembled holder’s outlet, immediately turn the regulator valve handle a few turns to lower the pressure. If necessary, bleed air from the top plate vent valves slowly until pressure gauge reads between 1-10 psi. No leaks should be apparent.

5. Increase inlet pressure in 10 psi increments to 50 psi, holding for two minutes each time. Continue filtration until flow stops. The liquid should be clear of particulate matter.

6. Shut off the pressure from the nitrogen tank regulator outlet valve, then open the vent valve gradually to release pressure from the cylinder.

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7. Remove the inlet TC hose connector and hardwheel knobs, and then remove top plate and extension cylinder of holder to clean the unit.

8. Analyse the liquid as per standard method for determine the concentration of specific metals.

CONCLUSION

The concentration of the metal Pb in the dust samples collected from Lead Smelter Unit after conducting the TCLP were found well below the 20 times of the TCLP limit as per USEPA and hence the samples pass TCLP Limits.

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