Gaps found in air pollution control measures at units in Edayar Industrial Area

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Inspections conducted by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board’s Environmental Monitoring Center at Eloor here to check the effectiveness of odor control systems in bone meal units, chicken waste rendering plants and rubber processing units in the Edayar Industrial Area have revealed poor emission control units and deficiencies in maintenance of the existing odor abatement biofiltration units.

The notices were served on seven out of 20 such units under the provisions of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 till September 1, 2026. The action was taken after elected representatives and environmentalists in Eloor municipality and Kadungalloor panchayat demanded immediate action against the erring units at a meeting called by the council on Monday.

The board said the inspections found deficiencies primarily in the operation and maintenance of odor control measures. According to the guidelines issued by the board, chicken waste renderers, fish oil, animal waste and rubber processing units must install appropriate air pollution control systems that include a biofilter with biomedia for odor control.

Inspections showed that the shortcomings associated with the efficiency of biofiltration arose from inappropriate selection of filling material and poor functioning of the biofilter. According to them, improper operation and maintenance of the existing biofilter were among the key reasons for the emission of odors and volatile organic substances into the atmosphere during the processing of the raw material and the operation of the equipment.

The missing units were also found to be deficient in cleaning measures as per standards. Insufficient cleanliness and poor housekeeping were found during inspections. The units lacked adequate facilities for storing raw materials. Some units lacked proper ventilation and cooling system for storing raw materials.

V. Narendra Kumar, president of the Edayar Small Scale Industries Association, said the compliance level in relation to odor emissions has improved in most units after steps were taken to install the required measures prescribed by the Pollution Control Board. We have asked all member units to patch any gaps immediately, he said.

A study report by CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, published in September 2023 revealed that the faulty units emit odors and volatile organic compounds during raw material processing and plant operations due to low operational efficiency of the units.

Published – 02 Sep 2026 13:27 IST