KRISHNAGIRI: The illegal dumping of hazardous biomedical waste on the banks of the Puliyur Jambu Lake near Pochampally in Krishnagiri district has triggered concern among residents and farmers, who fear serious environmental and public health consequences.
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Unidentified people have been disposing of biomedical waste in a pit located on the lake bund, according to residents. “The district administration and health department officials should immediately remove the waste and take stringent legal action against those responsible for dumping it,” T Palanivel, a resident, said. The dumped waste includes used syringes, needles, glucose tubes, bottles of expired medicines and others. The issue has assumed greater significance as widespread rainfall continues in Krishnagiri district and surrounding areas. Residents allege that biomedical waste dumped in the open is occasionally set on fire, and rainwater runoff could cause toxic chemicals and contaminants to seep into the lake and adjoining agricultural land. Farmers fear that the contamination could adversely affect groundwater resources and damage fertile farmland in the vicinity. There are also concerns that livestock may consume contaminated water, increasing the risk of disease, while improper disposal of medical waste could potentially create public health hazards. Download the TOI App.