An October 2004 report - based on a health survey commissioned by the Greenpeace and conducted by independent doctors and researchers - shows alarming results. The largest study conducted so far in the region, this health survey covered over 10,000 people in nine affected and four unaffected villages (used as control group for comparison). It has found that the incidence of diseases related to nervous, circulatory, respiratory, digestive and endocrine systems was one to four times higher in affected villages as compared to the control group.
Many cases of congenital deformity and chromosomal abnormalities were also reported, in addition to 11 cases of different kinds of cancer. Skin disorders are also rampant. The researchers conducted tests as well as examined the medical records of people.The fact is that the manufacturing units have not disclosed the nature of hazardous chemicals they are handling or storing, and the effluents they are discharging. This means that the local medical fraternity is not equipped to diagnose and treat problems caused by exposure to various toxic chemicals.“The community’s right to know what chemicals they are exposed to has been violated drastically,” says Mr Bidhan Chandra Singh of Greenpeace India.
The crisis in Patancheru has led to the socio-economic degradation of the people. An advisor associated with the Greenpeace report, Dr Thelma Narayan (from the Community Health Cell, Bangalore), says, “This is a gross denial of citizens right to life, which includes the right to health. It is important for state and central governments and the industry to act and provide compensation, treatmentand rehabilitation as well as ensure strict enforcement of regulatory and safety measures.”
