122 Patashala Street, Manali, Chennai
Manali Air Not Fit to Breathe, Air Sample Reveals
Details of Sample and Sampling
- A Tedlar bag sample was taken on 25 July 2005 at 7:30 pm from opposite the Futura Polymers gate near the graveyard, Manali North Madras, downwind of the company. Wind direction was towards south west, though the wind was very shifty. Given the high levels of prevalent air pollution from multiple sources, including other large sources like refineries, it is likely that Futura is not the only source of the chemicals found in the current sample.
- Twelve chemicals were found: Hydrogen Sulphide, Carbon disulphide, ethanol, acetone, iso propyl alcohol, 2-butanone, n-hexane, benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, m,p-xylenes and o-xylene.
For further details contact:
A.P. Ramalingam: 9381007267
Nityanand Jayaraman: 94440 82401
| S No | Chemical found | Levels detected (ug/m3) | Health based Screening levels (ug/m3) | Number of times exceed the screening levels (approx) | Odour | Health Effects |
Target Organs |
Carcinogen |
| 1. | Hydrogen Sulphide | 19.1 | 1.00 (US EPA Region 6 Screening Level) | 19.1 | A strong odour of rotten eggs | Irritation eyes, respiratory system; convulsions; conjunctivitis, eye pain, dizziness, headache, weakness, exhaustion, irritability, gastrointestinal disturbance | Eyes, respiratory system, central nervous system | No |
| 2. | Carbon Disulphide | 46.1 | 3 (Texas Long-Term Screening Levels) | 15.3 | A sweet ether-like odour | Dizziness, headache, poor sleep, weakness, exhaustion, anxiety, weight loss; gastritis; kidney, liver injury; eye, skin burns; dermatitis; reproductive effects | central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, cardiovascular system, eyes, kidneys, liver, skin, reproductive system | No |
| 3. | Ethanol | 180 | — | — | A pungent, fruity odour | Irritation eyes, nose, throat; eye, skin burns; dermatitis; conjunctivitis; cough; central nervous system depression;; in animals: kidney, reproductive, teratogenic effects; [potential occupational carcinogen] | Eyes, skin, respiratory system, kidneys, central nervous system, reproductive system
Cancer Site [in animals: nasal cancer] |
Yes |
| 4. | Acetone | 3400 | 370 (EPA Region 6 Screening Level) | 9.1 | A fragrant, mint-like odour | Irritation eyes, nose,
throat; headache, dizziness, central nervous system depression; dermatitis |
Eyes, skin, respiratory system, central nervous system | No |
| 5. | Isopropyl Alcohol | 5.2 | — | — | Odour of rubbing alcohol | Irritation eyes, nose, throat; drowsiness, dizziness, headache; dry cracking skin | Eyes, skin, respiratory system | No |
| 6. | 2-Butanone
(Methyl Ethyl Ketone) |
8.1 | 1000 (EPA Region 6 Screening Level) | — | A moderately sharp, fragrant, mint- or acetone-like odour | Irritation eyes, skin, nose; headache; dizziness; vomiting; dermatitis | Eyes, skin, respiratory system, central nervous system | No |
| 7. | n-Hexane | 6.7 | 210 (EPA Region 6 Screening Level) | — | A gasoline-like odour | Irritation eyes, nose; nausea, headache; muscle weakness; dermatitis; dizziness | Eyes, skin, respiratory system, central nervous system, peripheral nervous system | No |
| 8. | Benzene | 6.2 | 0.250 (EPA Region 6 Screening Level) | 24.8 | An aromatic odour | Irritation eyes, skin, nose, dizziness; headache, nausea, exhaustion; bone marrow depression; [potential occupational carcinogen] | Eyes, skin, respiratory system, blood, central nervous system, bone marrow
Cancer Site [leukaemia] |
Yes |
| 9. | Toluene | 520 | 400 (EPA Region 6 Screening Level) | 1.3 | A sweet, pungent, benzene-like odour | Irritation eyes, nose; weakness, exhaustion, confusion, euphoria, dizziness, headache; discharge of tears; anxiety, muscle fatigue, insomnia; liver, kidney damage | Eyes, skin, respiratory system, central nervous system, liver, kidneys | No |
| 10. | Ethylbenzene | 25 | 1100 (EPA Region 6 Screening Level) | — | An aromatic odour. | Irritation eyes, skin, mucous membrane; headache; coma | Eyes, skin, respiratory system, central nervous system | No |
| 11. | m,p- Xylenes | 17 | — | — | An aromatic odour. | Irritation eyes, skin, nose, throat; dizziness, excitement, drowsiness, incoordination, staggering gait; nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain; dermatitis | Eyes, skin, respiratory system, central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, blood, liver, kidneys | No |
| 12. | o-Xylene | 6.4 | 730 (EPA Region 6 Screening Level) | — | An aromatic odour. | Irritation eyes, skin, nose, throat; dizziness, excitement, drowsiness, incoordination, staggering gait, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain | Eyes, skin, respiratory system, central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, blood, liver, kidneys | No |
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Manali Consumer Awareness Welfare Association