Around 3.5 lakh people of Angul and Dhenkanal industrial region are severely suffering from various respiratory diseases due to heavy air pollution and are under threat of Covid-19.
While air pollution raises the risk of chronic illnesses that leave patients more vulnerable to Covid-19, such as heart disease, asthma and lung cancer, the ongoing uncontrolled industrial activities using high ash contained coal have worsened the situation further.
When India battles a public health crisis of staggering proportions due to Covid-19, dilution of various environment laws during this period has emerged as a big threat.
The amended Environment Protection Act, 1986 to do away with mandatory coal washing for supply to thermal power plants (TTP) has now a serious impact on environment and people.
The notification allows the use of coal by TPPs without stipulations regarding the ash content or location distance, subject to certain conditions.
Earlier, as part of its climate-change commitments, the Government had made coal washing mandatory for supply to all thermal units more than 500 km from the coal mine.
Power stations located within 500-1,000 km were stipulated to use coal with ash content not exceeding 34 per cent on a quarterly average basis. But a recent notification on May 21 has allowed power plants to use unwashed coal irrespective of distance from the mine. The TTPs are already in non-compliance with new environment norms and implementation of flyash notification.
The use of unwashed coal has added insult to injury.
Only 39 of 105 coal based units monitored by the Government, had 100 per cent ash utilisation at their end during 2019-20 , according to data by the Central Electricity Authority. Medical councils globally consider fly ash as a health hazard leading to severe lung and breathing diseases.
Coronavirus patients in areas that have high levels of air pollution are more likely to die from the infection than patients in cleaner area, according to a new study that offers the clear link between long-term exposure to pollution and Covid-19 death rates.
In an analysis of 3,080 counties in the United States, researchers at the Harvard University's TH Chan School of Public Health found that higher levels of the tiny, dangerous particles in air known as PM 2.5 were associated with higher death rates from the disease. It found that just a slight increase in long-term pollution exposure could have serious Coronavirus-related consequences.
"To remain consistent with our climate change commitment, the coal must be washed to reduce ash below 34 per cent. Here at critically polluted Angul, where various thermal power plants are using
non washed coal, the authorities have to take strict action against them," said enviornmentalist CR Sahu.
Meanwhile, the Citizens Action Forum, in a letter to the Chief Minister, has urged to direct the Collectors of Angul Dhenkanal districts, to stop high ash contained coal use by TPPs and use washed coal for comparatively less pollution at this pandemic period .