Kochi residents fearful of lasting impact of toxic gas

Kochi: Firefighters from over 30 teams and navy helicopters are still battling the thick smoke that has engulfed Kochi's solid refuse management facility in Kerala. The fire was put out on the second day, but the region has been covered in heavy smog for more than a week at this point.

For nine days in a row, toxic fumes have been emitted from the 100-acre trash dump yard. The spread of the toxic fumes is caused by ongoing residual fires in two areas of the landfill. While bulldozers scoop out layers of garbage, firemen relentlessly spray water to douse it, NDTV reported.

Engineering students Anjali and Naurin said the stench has been a 24-hour torment at a women's hostel 1.5 km from the dump yard. "It was choking. We slept with a mask on," said Anjali. "My parents are worried. They want me home. I am leaving tomorrow," Naurin added.

Vian, a Kerala native who is pursuing engineering at a college close to the landfill, has moved back to his hometown of Thrissur. It was like a blanket of smoke. We couldn't breathe," he said.

The long-term effects of the scenario are unknown to experts. According to doctors and health specialists, carcinogenic fumes can lead to cancer, kidney problems, infertility, and lung disease.

Dr Rajesh V, a senior consultant at Rajagiri Hospital, said "This could also affect the brain. It could slow down one's thinking process besides causing cancer."

Within a 15 km radius of Brahmapuram, the toxic fumes are now also affecting people in Kochi city.

A resident of Kochi's IT hub Kakkanad named Nipu Cherian expressed concern that the toxic smoke could eventually cause severe health problems for a large number of city dwellers. To avoid the fumes from burning plastic, rubber, and metal, Donna, his wife, relocated to Wayanad, which is about 250 km distant.

A teacher named Susha Saju Thomas is worried about what effect this might have on agriculture. The water pumped to put out the burning trash, which includes plastic, will end up in the ground and the nearby waterway. "The toxic wastes going underground will impact the crops and the food we eat. It's scary," she said.

Despite the fact that the fire has been out for nine days, the government has not yet made the scientific data on the toxicity levels public. The only advice the state government has provided thus far is to wear a mask and remain inside.

Kerala Industries Minister P Rajeev told NDTV, "No serious cases have been reported yet. The health department is studying the health impact. This dumping ground is under the local bodies and self-government departments. Whoever is responsible for this will be held accountable."

District collector N S K Umesh said, "We are confident of dousing the fire completely by Sunday. The air quality index, which has dropped from 400 to 112, will further improve and come down to the range of 50 soon."