NGT Takes Suo motu consciousness of a regarding news article that highlighted the alarming presence of dangerous chemicals, mainly “for all time chemicals,” in Chennai’s drinking water. the thing, posted on April 7, 2024, found out findings from a study performed by way of IIT Madras, which located excessive tiers of according to- and Polyfluoroalkyl materials (PFAS) in key water bodies which includes Buckingham Canal, Adyar river, and Chembarambakkam lake.
This discovery has raised enormous worries, as these chemical compounds, recognised for their lengthy-lasting staying power within the environment, are related to severe fitness dangers. PFAS are associated with a number of adverse outcomes, along with liver damage, low beginning weights in babies, hormonal imbalances, fertility troubles, immune gadget disruptions, or even cancer. Given those risks, the NGT has expressed its grave concern and brought speedy action.
The tribunal has known as upon several governmental our bodies to cope with the problem, together with the relevant pollutants manipulate Board (CPCB), the Tamil Nadu pollution manage Board, and the Chennai Collector/District magistrate. The CPCB has admitted that concentrations of these harmful chemicals in drinking water samples have expanded through the years, indicating a growing public fitness challenge. however, the board also talked about the absence of standards for PFAS in ingesting water, because the Bureau of Indian standards has but to offer pointers.
In response, the foremost Bench, led by way of Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Dr. A. Senthil Vel, has directed the CPCB to establish and implement requirements for PFAS in drinking water, emphasizing the need for standardized strategies of sampling and analysis. The Ministry of environment, wooded area and climate change, together with the Chennai Metro Water supply and Sewerage Board, have additionally been made respondents within the case.
the matter could be in addition discussed in a hearing scheduled for April 29, 2025, and the NGT’s proactive steps sign a dedication to making sure that chemical compounds dangerous to human health are nicely regulated inside the kingdom’s drinking water. this case highlights the importance of addressing chemical contamination in water our bodies and defensive public health from the lengthy-term effect of poisonous materials.
