Toxic metals found at Thrissur fireworks blast site, MP seeks cleanup
Tests reportedly found elevated levels of chromium, copper, vanadium and cyanide in soil at the Mundathikode fireworks accident site in Kerala, where 17 people died in April. A lawmaker has urged authorities to remove and safely dispose of contaminated topsoil before pollutants spread to nearby wells, fields and water bodies.
The presence of hazardous substances in soil at the site of a fireworks accident in Mundathikode, Thrissur, Kerala, has prompted calls for urgent cleanup. Tests conducted by the State Pollution Control Board reportedly detected chromium, copper, vanadium and cyanide at levels above permissible limits. The accident on April 21 killed 17 people in an area surrounded by houses, paddy fields, wells and water bodies.
K. Radhakrishnan, a Member of Parliament, has written to Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change seeking immediate intervention.
The Pollution Control Board reportedly submitted its initial findings on May 15, before the monsoon, and recommended treating the site as potentially contaminated. It advised removing the topsoil from an area of about 7,000 square metres. According to the recommendation, nearly 1,470 tonnes of soil should be taken to the Kerala Enviro Infrastructure Ltd.
facility at Ambalamugal, Kochi, for treatment and safe disposal. Radhakrishnan said the recommended action had not been implemented, attributing the delay to financial implications and alleged inaction by authorities. With the monsoon season nearly over, he expressed concern that contaminants may have moved into surrounding soil, wells and other water sources.
The location’s residential and agricultural character has heightened concern about potential exposure. Several houses, wells, paddy fields and water bodies are situated around the accident site. Radhakrishnan urged state and central authorities to remove the contaminated topsoil without further delay and prevent the spread of pollutants.
The source material did not provide a response from the authorities regarding the reported delay or the requested remediation.
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