Lab: Dadar beach samples contain oil
Environmentalists warn of health hazards, BMC not alarmed, MPCB says accidental case
Samples of water and sand collected from the Dadar beach by activists of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have tested positive for oil and grease. Alarmed, environmentalists have warned of serious health hazards to humans and danger to marine life.
Based on the findings of the Industrial Testing and Analytical Laboratory (Italab) at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) will form a committee comprising experts to ascertain the exact reason and to decide on preventive measures.
According to the Italab report, the pH level of water samples is 7.4 and the oil and grease content is 1.248 milligrams per litre. The oil and grease content in the sand sample was found to be 0.19 per cent w/w while the oil content in the samples scraped off the rocks and beach stairs was 72 per cent w/w.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), however, is not alarmed. “The BMC is responsible for clearing the matter that is washed up to the shore. We have received no complaints from residents. As such, the oil is not a major inconvenience to people. The BMC cleans the shore twice a day during low tide,” said Ashwin Khanolkar, the ward officer of the area.
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), which conducts an annual Maharashtra coastal survey, will not investigate the presence of oil since it is an accidental case. But, according to an MPCB official, a smaller survey of the beach would be conducted.
Environmentalists, on the other hand, are alarmed. “Oil affects fish and also settles on underwater plants. It also makes humans susceptible to skin diseases. Besides, humans are also in danger of consuming toxics with fish,” said Debi Goenka, an activist of the Bombay Environmental Action Group.
Yeshwant Killedar, MNS Vibhag Pramukh for Dadar, Wadala, Mahim and Naigaon, said, “Now that we have the lab results in our hands, we will form an experts’ committee in 15 days and submit a report in about two months.”
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