ATTN: The goal is to reach 15000 signatures! We believe of the 1.25L people affected, this is a tiny number to get. Please spread the word liberally. Thanks for you support!

​Graphite India is present in Whitefield, one of the busiest residential areas of Bangalore. It's graphite production generates large amounts of fine graphite soot which is released into the atmosphere each day. This is fine enough for it to not be very visible, yet is breathed by - not just the Graphite India employees, but - all the daily commuters, residents and businesses around the vicinity of Graphite India. While the National Limit on RSPM is 60 microgram per cubic-mtr; Graphite India produces a whopping 159 when measured in the vicinity! This has resulted in more than 110% increase in pollution levels in the area over the past 15 years alone.

And with ITPL and other business parks in the area, daily commuters are ever increasing (with the current numbers close to almost 1,25,000 per day using the road in front of Graphite India).

All these citizens are exposed to this soot. This is exacerbated by the wind which blows East wards for about 6 months, during which a health care center (RxDx), a couple of business centers and a few residential communities are directly exposed. Remaining months, the wind is North-by-Northeast, thus impacting a couple of schools and many residential communities.

Over the past few years, this issue has been raised numerous times and KSPCB has passed a ruling that Graphite India needs to move and follow other reduction mandates. However, neither has happened. And the appeal which was raised at the Appellate Authority of KS Pollution Control Board. There is also an open case with the National Green Tribunal on which there is a judgement awaited. The delay is obviously not helping and there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

Some images taken in nearby communities & RxDx can be viewed HERE.

Reasons for the request:

1) Health Hazards - Continuous inhalation of soot (graphite or black carbon) has been associated with varying health implications. These range from minor lung inflammations to cases of lung cancer. Infants and kids are also prone to other respiratory illnesses  as well. And any of these could be potentially carcinogenic.1

2) Environmental - Graphite is almost entirely made up of Carbon, which is one of the largest contributors to global warming. While the fine soot is abetting the Green House Gases, the processing of Graphite pollutes water bodies nearby which in-turn impacts the ground water in the area. Soil contamination is also a known and recorded environmental impact due to graphite processing.3 While we believe KSPCB is aware and monitoring Graphite India on these, there is a case for updating the norms and being strict on adherence.

While numerous cities have banned or moved graphite processing units away from residential and civic centers, a province in China which isn’t unlike Whitefield has faced a similar problem and has considered banning the same.2 This should help advance and move KSPCB towards implementing the closure of Graphite India’s Whitefield location.

Based on this information, we would like to request the Chairman to make a speedy positive decision on this issue which will make living in this area conducive to the citizens.

References:

1. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/a?dbs+hsdb:@term+@DOCNO+7713

2. http://www.indmin.com/Article/3298690/Graphite-pollution-fears-spread-to-Heilongjiang-China.html

3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphite