Chemical Hub: the terrible threat

admin — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:59:27 +0000

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Development through foreign investment and exports. According to the trend of globalization, in particular government approved development paradigm, the real goal is plunder. Free of cost water supply and infrastructure, land and cheap labor, are the preconditions for such investments. Investors put their own capital, clean technologies, including their own raw materials, if necessary, then focus on the indiscriminate looting, breaking nature, the environment, destroy water, air, soil, and all resources for production. Finally, they leave without a trace of remorse after having dragged the country's total economy in the jaws of impending disaster. This has been demonstrated by history, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and other buildings that bear witness to this process. When investors come, forcing many people to death by dispossessing them of their livelihoods, to move from any dwelling, and impoverish the misery, and when they finally leave, they have already broken the back of overall economic development country, which not only affects millions of people uprooted, penniless, homeless, but also people from all levels of society. Viewed from this perspective, the installment plan "center of chemistry" in West Bengal is of great importance. It becomes clear here how international trade and commerce in their own interest, offers some projects, especially in third world countries, where the glare of publicity and fanfare of government propaganda to keep hidden the ugly face of marauding Looters real conspiracy.
But what is meant by this so-called''controversial chemical hub? We do not know if there is a formal definition of this phenomenon. Anyway, as a practical definition, one can say that "the heart of chemistry is an industrial area containing a number of chemical plants that are connected to each other in an interdependent chain. However, the real issue is not the definition, but threat of pollution, ecological imbalance, threats to public health, safety, etc., and of course, of course, still some issues with that. For example, exactly which chemicals are produced there, and for whom, what is their obligation, which will be the main consumer of goods, are Indian or foreign, etc, etc? Furthermore, if it is for indigenous consumption, then this will be our policy in the production of chemicals? In fact, the chemical industry is just another industry. Its surface is much larger, and their impact is too far. Besides, the chemical industry is directly linked to agricultural policy, and various other issues relating to environment and housing are also involved in this context.
Chemical industry today is not what it was a hundred years ago. Today, she sent tentacles into food processing, agricultural trade, production of seeds to cosmetics, soft drinks and many different items. Besides the installation of this area has chemical risks at every important stage. The place where large numbers of such a wide range of hazardous chemicals will occur, necessarily, spit or make countless elements that are bound to be harmful to the environment, health and safety of workers and a lot of people live in adjacent areas. Even beyond that, there is always the possibility of heavy falls, of which he witnessed in Bhopal. In this situation, if the goods produced are shipped off abroad again, why take that risk any further danger? We need to think seriously about it.
According to the memo from the State Government through the center is dedicated to the manufacture of petrochemicals. The main problem with these chemicals, production area are the toxic waste that is no less dangerous than the radioactive nuclear waste by any account. Any chemical reaction that leads to the production of some undesirable elements that are no longer used. For example, the fatally toxic dioxins and furans can be mentioned. Then there are the emissions of various pollutants that run on air. Among the waste, no heavy metals like mercury, arsenic, etc. Where will they go? It is very expensive to reduce or control the amount of toxic waste. Who will bear this additional burden? All sectors indiscriminately dump waste into rivers or the sea adjacent channels of a significant portion also comes into the air as black smoke. This creates a heavy coat in the air, and less than a plethora of small particles gather in the air leading to human lung puncture. Heavy elements spread over the floor, seeps into the lower layers below, in the roll of the water reservoirs of the town. Gradually, the rivers, sea, canals, reservoirs, forests, plantations, while contaminated with the poison. The poison seeps through the soil surface in the basement, drinking water is polluted, which in turn, turn, attack the agricultural sector. Then across cultures and spooky horns poison in the body of humans and livestock, poultry and fish lead to several serious diseases incurable. This is the inevitable disaster. Ultimately the entire area remains more habitable. Secondly, large companies too much wind in their economies and rampant elsewhere.
'Chemical Hub'! But while the name may sound, it's just old wine in new bottles. In many parts of the world, the industrial areas of this type were installed. And the experience of these chemicals and industry production areas is not prosperity, but rather the opposite. A clear example of such a horrible catastrophe can reach an area in the wake of the emissions of the long chain of factories is Kubatao, the city or the center of the chemical industry in Brazil. During the seventies, in the name of rapid development and great prosperity and had invited a number of investors indiscriminately. On the crest of a wave of foreign investment, this city of industry came up, crowned "the chemical capital of Brazil, bordered by a river flowing, even if Port of Santos, the largest Latin American port sea was close – a seamless communication system of transportation by land and waterways. Also in the liberal industrial trade policy, labor cheap, unlimited tax subsidy, the land at a nominal price – an open field for plunder. At this time no other country in the world according to the extent of concessions. Therefore, by obtaining a guarantee of investors rushed the maximum benefit to Brazil who have delivered the perfect setting for indiscriminate pillaging. It seems very similar to the scene in West Bengal today or India.
Kubatao example is the horrible consequences of loss of investment in random unexpected trade, free and unrestricted license for export economy. In just a decade, this city tour to the valley of death. For this reason Kubatao called "valley of death." The dense Atlantic forest that once covered the mountains which has been completely destroyed. The river that once calmly with life's edges became a puddle of standing water. There was no living creature in the river, no more, now was the finding that the poisoned water and some aquatic plants. The city fell to the poison throughout the body. The air above is poisoned, the soil is so low, land, forests. Kubatao began having children born without brains, children rarely survive and are born deformed. It is difficult to breath in the stale air, which severely deprived of oxygen. The sky was dark, even during the day. And Ill everywhere! Most residents of the region had been suffering from tuberculosis or cancer, asthma or lung associated with various diseases. Dense forests, once in the mountains had disappeared in its place was a stray dog a few morbid dwarf trees and plants, with leaves shaken by the acrid smoke of chemicals. Occasionally there were landslides, causing many casualties. This situation was exacerbated by the frequency of acid rain. In all cases, total disaster, really.
In 1985, the situation Kubatao be completely out of control. In January this year, a steady rain for two days and 15 inches was followed by a landslide strange. Hundreds and hundreds of displaced stones dropped into the valley Kubatao. The ammonia pipeline Villa Parisi huge explosion and within a thick acrid smoke thick as the clouds instantly skyrocketed. Many were injured in the accident, many fell ill. Although the government refused to admit ultimately the administration was forced to make an emergency evacuation of the entire region on a war footing. The governor of Sao Paolo has officially declared an emergency and instructed the jury that the fight against pollution status of the implementation of an immediate advantage over pollution, something that was impossible at this time. During the twenty years that have followed since then, despite the concerted efforts of many organizations, the level of contamination Kubatao not be reduced to a level lower than a danger.
Brazil is not alone. Similar stories are scattered throughout the world. Even within the territories of the United States itself, it was noted how areas adjacent chemical plants are infested with poison. Let's look at the Midland Michigan. Dow Chemical, one of the world's largest producers of chemicals have poisoned not only the river water Tittabaowasi but also the subsurface of the basin. Local residents have launched a movement against it. The area residents have filed suit against chemicals Dowe its responsibility behind their many ailments such as cancer. The level of dioxin is extraordinarily high non-toxic, not only can lead to cancer, but also very complex serious illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes, skin disease, birth deformity, etc. The figures in the newsletter of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. In various claims Washington clashed with Du Pont, the largest chemical company in the world. For example, in areas adjacent to the Du Pont plant in Virginia, the tap indicates the presence of toxic C8 used in Teflon. When the blood of the local population has also revealed the presence of the toxic element Similarly, cases have been filed against the company. It was alleged that the company had deliberately concealed the facts. If Du Pont Teflon had to pay more than ten million U.S. dollars in compensation. It goes without saying that even after Teflon was banned in the United States continued to export much later. It is worth mentioning here that many chemicals have been banned in developed countries but are still produced and used in developing countries in the world.
[Author: Abhi Datta Majumdar, Professor, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata. Translation by Rama Kundu of Dainik Statesman, 29 and June 30, 2007]
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[Author: Abhi Datta Majumdar, Professor, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata. Translation by Rama Kundu of Dainik Statesman, 29 and June 30, 2007]
Now back to North America to Asia. In Japan, western Kauusu a small coastal village called Minamata. During the early years of last century was to Nippon Carbide Corporation plant in Minamata Kesso. Since they can not get enough profit through the production of fuels, which have gradually begun to take with sulphide of calcium carbide and later in fertilizers containing ammonium sulfate. Meanwhile, Mitsubishi has joined them on the basis of the association. In 1930, he had access to the manufacturing technology of acetylene using mercury compounds. They began producing various organic products such as acetic acid, acetone, butanol, etc. During this process, which also established a monopoly on the chemistry of acetylene. Not only in their own countries but also in many foreign countries, including Korea, the Nippon Kesso expand his empire. Meanwhile, the topography of Minamata also changed in the way of progress of the Nippo Kesso Company. From the village to the city of Minamata, has finally emerged as a full-fledged city, with lots of roads, communication and portability.
But beneath this facade of prosperity is there, the hidden story of countless lost lives, broken families, ruined livelihoods, livelihoods destroyed. Local fishermen, farmers, farmland were ruined gradually imperceptibly into silence. Horrible claws of the chemical industry have caught and maimed for the rights of all livelihoods. The uncontrolled discharge of waste water plant has poisoned the sea, which in its tower infected sea weed, fish and other sea creatures toxic chemicals entered the food chain, through the circuit more creatures came in last instance, the human body. The soil, air, water, forests have been infected in the same way. In total, went to such a tragic situation that nobody had the foresight spared – neither the company nor the government had been embarrassed at least. Therefore, the contamination has not decreased and the number of infected people began to show a sharp rise.
The horror of the situation came to the forefront around 1956. One day, four patients complaining of strange symptoms, were admitted to hospital in Minamata. This figure has continued to grow over time. Symptoms include signs of mental disorders, rigor, fainting, falling into a coma and eventually death. Soon this unknown disease has taken the form of the plague in the region. That evil is still unknown category, the treatment is not possible. Finally, it seems that they all used to fish in the sea, and eating fish on a regular basis. Harosuai, a doctor at the local hospital attention is focused first on the sea after a while, the same year a team of researchers at Kumamoto University discovered the presence of an extraordinary level of mercury in waste water balancing sea, and they have identified as the cause of the deadly disease. The discovery has caused considerable agitation nationwide. Kesso, but refused to admit the charges and his production continues as before. There have been difficulties in obtaining government support for their side. Instead of disinfection of the environment, the government fell without mercy on the report itself, which was stiff opposition. The demonstration of local fishermen found Kesso against repression and torture by the government. Meanwhile, hundreds of cats, crazy, started jumping in the water and then himself. Occasionally, infected birds have begun to descend from heaven and died. Various conditions, including physical defects that occurred between the mass of the human population of the region.
And finally Kesso Nippon was ready to quit in protest. They started putting cash into the palm of infected people. The Government has maintained total silence on the subject. Not announced any compensation. D'autre part plus de quarante mille personnes ont attendu jusqu'en 1993 dans l'espoir de compensation. And there was no compensation or any interruption in production, or any control in the violation of nature. No order / order has been established in Kesso to the retention or control of that breach, but were banned from local fishermen, who could fish in the sea, but not be allowed to consume sea fish or of other creatures. In addition, the news had come from afar. Therefore, no client should be found for your fish. Therefore, a great economic disaster faced by fishermen throughout the region. Meanwhile Kesso began dumping of waste into the adjacent river called Minamata, carried by the flow of the river pollution is spreading to other cities too, and again began to extend Minamata disease. Countless people have died. And there is no cure for this disease, except for pollution control, the consequence of Minamata disease was also very alarming. It is strange that Kesso Nippon never admitted that pollution caused by waste was the exact cause of this plague. Therefore, none of the affected compensation received to date.
Since this is the area of precipitation of the chemical industry [or 'center'] in the world, how far is it wise or feasible to build this industry in a densely populated area as the "State of West Bengal, or populous countries like India? It is advisable not to undertake any project in the industry as potentially dangerous in a place where there is adequate existing government infrastructure to ensure the safety of public safety, where there is virtually no existing system to control pollution. It is also worth noting that the government intends to install the center of the chemicals, specifically in the Brazilian model. The raw materials come from abroad, that the use of water, land and cheap labor to our country. Then, the goods produced are shipped to other countries, especially developed countries that are sufficiently aware of their health needs, the voice enough to protect their own environment.
In fact, under pressure from environmental movements of the First World houses many large companies are now in a race to the edge of the third world to maintain their profit rates. Today, the new policy to control the chemical industry in Europe called "rich" have forced investors to seek new locations. "Rich" is the abbreviated name of a policy called "Registration Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals. Since the implementation of this Regulation, it is not possible to assume full responsibility for protecting the environment and increase profit margins high, while it is precisely for this reason they were in search of new sites. The German company BASF has already stated in so many words that this regulation is unrealistic because it will increase the cost of building and launching of a "platform chemical" to the extent that customers finally renounce the use of chemicals. However, Europe has not reversed its previous position at all, not only that, but are also actively engaged in strengthening their own political use of chemicals and impose control over the use of many elements.
In order to ensure a pollution free lands of the Stockholm Convention of 2001 had identified twelve specific chemicals as the "dirty dozen." Recently, many other elements are added to these compounds. This list includes hazardous waste events, such as dioxins, furans, and various chlorine-based insecticides such as DDT, Eldrin and toxic byproducts. They are called "persistent organic pollutants or POPs compound. This means that not only toxic, they can continue unabated in the environment over a long period, and may be bioaccumulative. This means they can enter the vegetation or animal body through the food chain and can infect the human body through them. Suppose that is sprayed on the lawn, where it enters the body of cattle and other animals, then back into the milk through the infiltration of milk in the human body, which may also seep into the body of the next generation. A wide range of these toxic chemicals are once again classified as a PBT or "persistent and bioaccumulative chemicals.
Besides this there are several other compounds that are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction, or compounds of CMR. These are chemicals that cause cancer, mutation (cell division), and negatively affect reproduction. Many elements of the petrochemical industry is characterized by two properties. Therefore, Europe and U.S. has imposed various restrictions in areas of high volume production. No prizes for guessing what extent these restrictions are applicable in a country like India. In addition there are many dangers in the application. How are hazardous chemicals in this country with their bare hands and without taking any precautions, it is enough to send shivers through the spine of anyone with minimal consciousness. The issue of additional security measures are best left ignored.
In developed countries, not just that many chemicals are banned and restrictions on the production of compounds classified as persistent organic pollutants, CMR, PBT, the proportion of toxic elements in the waste industry is subject to strict supervision . Throughout the chemical industry faces a challenge in Europe today. It is worth mentioning that are not chemicals whose synthesis is limited, but not their use. The United States also has been imposing strict state control over the chemical industry. The result of this restriction is precisely the possibility of risk to the industry. Not that it is impossible to produce by obeying all restrictions, but must be very expensive. Therefore, the mega industrial multinationals have been looking for third world countries. It is notable that in these third world countries, almost no such thing as an appropriate system for control of pollution, nor can it change the situation overnight. Therefore, if production is moved to this place, then the profit level can be maintained at home. It is too clear that if West Bengal is transformed into the industrial colony, including under the pretext of development, then ultimately be a repeat of Kuabato, anxiety can be very real.
The Government has adopted the paradigm of development in accordance with the trend of globalization, and through investment and export, is actually a map of the looting of serving the interests of commerce and multinational effort to downtown chemistry in West Bengal is simply an obvious example of this Plan of pillage. And if it materializes, a total disaster is inevitable in the coming days. Given the level of infrastructure and pollution control in our country and elsewhere, given the history of trade and large multinational industry, requires no great wisdom to foresee that, where this type of area the industry is a large area around it will become a cemetery in the near future. Agriculture, food, water, air, public health, everything will be under attack. When they are indifferent to their interests of all time servers will finish their business today and beyond, but leave behind a deadly toxins field. Those who knowingly or not act at the behest of foreign multinationals, take the initiative to create this chemical platform, forcing farmers to devastating, horrible hell, dark. In the name of industrialization, which effectively end all roads to development, and to finish. Posterity will not forgive any of them for this crime.
[Author: Abhi Datta Majumdar, Professor, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata. Translation by Rama Kundu of Dainik Statesman, 29 and June 30, 2007]

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Chemical Hub: the terrible threat