A Bhopal gas victims’ group on Wednesday alleged that mercury levels in hazardous waste trials were hidden, exposiing people in Pithampur to toxic fumesz and health risks.
The Bhopal Gas Peedit Sangharsh Sahayog Samiti claimed the MP Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) carried out 2025 trials of the legacy waste without using mercury analysers. As a result, they alleged, toxic mercury gas may have entered people’s lungs through the air. The group asked who would be responsible if people developed cancer in future.
According to the Samiti, India does not yet have the technology to safely fix mercury. Despite this, 221.34 kg of mercury-contaminated waste is being incinerated in Pithampur. They argued that mercury analysers only measure gas in the air and cannot monitor contamination in soil or water.
In a press release, convenor Sadhna Karnik accused MPPCB of misleading the public and the court with unscientific claims. She challenged the pollution control body to explain, through a sworn affidavit, how mercury levels appeared lower in 2025 compared to 2015.
Karnik said mercury only turns into vapour at 356.7°C, and local temperatures have never reached that point. She called the claim of a natural drop in mercury levels “completely unscientific”.
She added that MPPCB has now agreed to recheck mercury levels and consult the Samiti before further disposal. However, Karnik raised concern that all past trials were done without real-time analysers.