HLLS FOLLY MERCURY SPILL IN KODAIKANAL

BY GROUP T1

Introduction
On March 2001, HLL caught redhanded by the residents of Kodaikanal, when they found a dumpsite with toxic mercury-laced waste from the companys thermometer factory 32000 potentially affected people lived in Kodaikanal

Disposal of mercury of an ongoing saga of Such an exposure marked the beginning Protests staged by contamination waste along dishonesty, by Unilevers Indian subsidiary, Hindustan Lever Ltd residents led by with broken thermometer NGO including Greenpeace and ground glass

10 workers died at the factory while it was functional

Symptoms reported by ex workers were fatigue, headaches, nausea, blurred vision, respiratory disorders, central nervous system problems

7.4 ton of crushed mercury containing glass was spilled in a busy scrap yard located near a school

History of HLL Factory

The factory was originally located in New York but was shut down for environmental reasons US-based Chesebrough Ponds relocated its aging mercury thermometer factory from Watertown, New York to Kodaikanal in 1983 The factory was acquired by Unilever after it bought Chesebrough Ponds owner of HLL, which is Unilevers 51 percent owned Indian subsidiary imported all the glass and mercury for the thermometers from the US and exported all the finished thermometers to the US based Faichney Medical Co

WASTE DISPOSAL PROCEDURES Glass scrap was sent for recycling to glass merchants and glass containing mercury treated to recover the mercury. Remaining waste was sold to recyclers unlawfully and in breach of companys policies Water from the plant was led to effluent treatment plant and sludge stored in the pit on site under cover Factory buried glass scrap on the site after appropriate regulatory approvals.

Damage to Workers and Environment

It was reported that 600- 800 workers were exposed to mercury More than 20 workers between age group have died due to poisoning from factory People in vicinity of factory have suffered from skin diseases, premature graying, incessant headaches, stomach pain and kidney problems Poisonous vapour carrying mercury travelled across the town Discontinued operational safety measure in factory

HLL Response to complaints

After many denials & cover-ups the company agreed that it shipped out 5.3 tonnes of mercury waste to scrap yard

HLLs response to the complaints was transparent and the persons responsible for breach were indentified & penalized

A new manager, R. John was appointed to defend the Factory administration

Manufacturing operations were suspended on March 2001 & glass scrap yard was shifted to a more secure place An environmental audit was commissioned by HLL

It appointed Well-known URS Dames & Moore of Aus to conduct a detailed environmental audit

The result showed that 300 kg of mercury was disposed to the Pambar Sholas Forest and another 700 kg of waste through air

Role of NGO
The NGOs left no stones unturned to mobilize public opinion and to pressure TNPCB and the TN government to compel HLL to make amends for its acts of commission and omission in unlawful disposal of the hazardous toxic waste and in the exposure of workers to potentially dangerous work environment

The NGOs were also responsible to form the TN alliance against mercury (TAAM), which tried to identify and contain contaminated soil

The NGOs were also behind the former workers approaching the supreme court of India in 2005, demanding compensation from HLL for loss of their jobs and health hazards the suffered

The most laudable part of NGOs role is the novel and dramatic manner in which the kept they mercury waste spill issue alive throughout, by using a variegated set of measures available to them.

Where does the truth lie ?

High levels of mercury seen as far as 20 kms within the town , in forests and lakes as per scientific studies HLL claims that the mercury levels were as per prescribed factory rules Studies indicating the impact on fauna and ecosystem Insufficient data for confirming mercury impact on the health of workers and community. HLL denial of death of 10 young men in the factory Post HLLs denial to dumping mercury, it accepts 5.3 tonnes of glass wastes lying at the Munijikal scrap yard

Ultimate Demand to Government

Government to initiate legal action against HLL for lying to statutory bodies and providing false information and for destroying evidence Take serious action against the factory inspectors Initiate long term studies to monitor the impact of mercury on the ecosystem Compensate the families of dead workers Permanently destroy the mercury found in HLLs waste

Why Ethics in Business?

To meet stakeholders expectations To prevent harm to general public To build trust trust with key stakeholder group To protect their own employees to create environment in which workers can act in ways consistant with their values

Source: Business Ethics and Corporate Goverance, Fernando