The Real Cost of Power - Bank Information Center
The Real Cost of Power - Bank Information Center
The Real Cost of Power - Bank Information Center
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Figure 3:<br />
Apart from that, the presence in the air <strong>of</strong> toxic SPM (suspended particulate matter) is likely to cause serious health<br />
problems in the people here,<br />
particularly amongst children and the elderly.<br />
It's not only the dry fish which is contaminated by coal dust/ash; even the salt produced in this area is reported to be<br />
getting ash deposits. Truck-loads <strong>of</strong> this salt are transported to factories, for refining and packing for human<br />
consumption all over India, even exported. With the fine toxic ash spreading all over the wide plains <strong>of</strong> salt-pans, will<br />
it be possible to clean the salt completely? What about the health implications <strong>of</strong> this contaminated salt on unsuspecting<br />
consumers far away?<br />
Figure 4:<br />
80%<br />
70%<br />
60%<br />
50%<br />
40%<br />
30%<br />
20%<br />
10%<br />
0%<br />
State-wise Contribution in Salt Production in India (2004)<br />
West<br />
Bengal<br />
Andhra<br />
Pradesh<br />
Gujarat<br />
Maharashtr<br />
a<br />
Source: Sector Pr<strong>of</strong>ile : Food and Agri Business, Gujarat Govt. 15<br />
Orissa Rajasthan Tamilnadu<br />
Series1 0% 2% 72% 1% 0% 11% 14%<br />
Source: “Saga <strong>of</strong> Indian Salt Workers,” Bay <strong>of</strong> Bengal News.