A mini Bhopal-type tragedy has happened near Indore with six workers hospitalised on Friday afternoon after being nearly blinded by poisonous fumes emanating from an incineration plant in Pithampur near Indore.
Ironically, the plant is owned by the Hyderabad-based Ramky Enviro Engineers Ltd (REEL), which has been one of the front runners for a contract to clean up the site of the Bhopal gas tragedy.
REEL is a hazardous waste management outfit with six incinerators across India.
Dr Vivek Dubey, a specialist in internal medicine with the Get Well Hospital in Mahou (near Indore), pointed out, “All the labourers are suffering from symptoms of insecticide poisoning (organo phosphorous), which includes blurring of vision and vomiting. It got clear after examination that the internal organs of one of the labourers has been seriously affected.”
Dr Dubey further maintained, “They had obviously inhaled the toxic fumes. Even their clothes were full of different chemicals. What was shocking was that they had been given no protective gear such as gloves and masks to deal with this hazardous waste. The minute I informed the contractor, who brought them to the hospital, that this was a medico-legal case and the police must be informed, he whisked them away.”
REEL has gone into a denial mode and insists that these workers are suffering from fumes that had emerged from paint sludge.
Dr K.S.M. Rao, a director with REEL, claims, “The workers were handling paint sludge along with a thinner. Since it has been a hot summer, two of the labourers complained of nausea. But to be on the safe side, we had the entire team admitted in a local hospital and had their blood and urine tests and now their eyesight is returning to normal.”
Dr Dubey outright dismissed their version. “They were all suffering from insecticide poisoning. Infact, increasing numbers of workers suffering from different chemical poisoning are being brought to our hospital every month. A nearby facility making batteries sends us two to three workers for treatment every month.”