Factory stores over 400,000 litres of flammable chemicals
* EPA has rejected applications for expansion due to failure to meet standards
* Committee found factory non-compliant with environmental standards
* Company denies allegations

By Abdul Manan

A multinational paint factory in the vicinity of the Model Town Society and Ittefaq Hospital on Ferozepur Road stores about 400,000 litres of highly flammable chemicals, sources in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) told Daily Times on Saturday.

According to sources chemicals like Benzene, Toluene, Zylene, Mono-ethylene Glycone and Methyl Acrylate, acids like Taraphalic acid, organic acids, Ammonia, Dimethyle Pharmyde and Vinyl Acetate were used by the factory and were highly flammable, toxic and hazardous.

Environment Impact Assessment Director Mian Khalid Mehmood told Daily Times that he had rejected the application of the paint factory for the expansion of its existing plants because of its failure to meet requirements set by the EPA. He said that the factory dealt with highly dangerous goods, which posed a threat because of the lack of a disaster management plan.

In April, H-Block residents and Ittefaq Hospital Chief Operating Officer Abdul Qaddus filed an official complaint saying that the factory was situated near a residential area, and was putting the residents in constant danger.

In April, 2008 the EPA constituted a committee comprising experts and environmentalists to inspect the factory. The committee issued a report pointing out the following drawbacks:

· 1) The storage of dangerous goods and substances in bulk with total reported quantities of 397,638 litres without acquiring a mandatory licence/approval;

· 2) Discharging untreated sewage effluents exceeding national environmental quality standards;

· 3) Lack of proper documentation for safe management and ultimate disposal of hazardous sludge/solid waste;

· 4) Lack of proper control on emissions of fumes of hydrocarbon solvents;

· 5) Lack of buffer zone to minimise the nuisance and noise/dust;

· 6) Lack of a proper disaster management plan for the safety and protection of the surrounding community in case of a major chemical or fire accident.

On August 16, the EPA rejected the response of the company on the basis of investigation data contained in the EPA report, concluding that the unit was causing a negative effect on the environment and a threat to the nearby areas.

The EPA director general, on the same date, issued an Environment Protection Order (EPO) directing the company to stop any further expansion of the unit in terms of production capacity and installation of new equipment. The order directed the company to bring its sewage quality within the required parameters by installing a treatment facility, as well as to maintain proper documentation for the safe management and disposal of hazardous wastes. The order also directed the company to submit a disaster management plan as well as submitting a plan for the phasing out of flammable/explosive solvent-based activates at the current site to the satisfaction of the agency. The order placed a 30-day deadline on the company for compliance.

Hafiz Wazir Ali, an environmental lawyer, told Daily Times that the EPA should issue orders for the immediate halt of the plant’s operation until the store of solvents is removed. He said that after the expiry of the 30-day deadline, the case would be sent to a tribunal where it would take months before action is taken. An EPA spokesman told Daily Times that after 30 days the EPA would take stern action against the paint factory.

 

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