Release of fly ash into the surrounding environment culminates the entry of the toxic substances into the living systems causing various detrimental impacts including respiratory and cardiovascular disorders.
The other environmental impacts are pollution of air, water and soil and degradation in their quality. Thus, the need of the hour is to reduce the consumption of coal that releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and safe disposal of the fly ash without any detriment to the environment. Environment experts expressed such views while speaking in a webinar on the theme ‘Fly ash: Environmental issues and the way forward,’ organised by the Orissa Environmental Society (OES).
Chief speaker of the occasion was Chair Professor of Science and Technology, Sambalpur University, Dr Sanjat Kumar Sahu, who narrated how coal-based power plants in Odisha are producing huge amounts of wastes.
He suggested for making innovations in fly ash management by the industrial units so as to reduce the passage of particulate matters (PM 2.5 and PM 10), toxic gases and heavy metals into air, water and soil. He described how fly ash use is increasing in sectors like brick making, cement manufacturing, road construction and open-mine filling, etc.
He also discussed the breaches in ash ponds of different industries of Odisha in the past causing health hazards damage to agriculture.
OES president Dr Sundara Narayana Patro opined that in the scenario of climate change causing devastations, use of renewable, clean sources of energy be given priority instead of fossil fuels so that fly ash problem can be solved.
In his welcome address, secretary Dr Jaya Krushna Panigrahi emphasised on abandoning coal as a source of energy.
Making expert comments, Prof Krishna Chandra Sahu, formerly in Bombay IIT, emphasised on further scientific research on all aspects, including its application in agricultural fields. OES vice-president Dr Lala AK Singh introduced the guests and Er Manoranjan Mishra presented the vote of thanks.
Among others, Sasi Bhusana Rao, Prof Nimai Charan Mishra, Dr Sudhakar Kar, Prof SP Adhikary, RN Gupta and Dillip Kumar Satpathy spoke.