Mumbai: Residents fear health risks as new RMC plant rises in Andheri East

As Mumbai gasps for clean air activists allege that the new Ready Mixture Concrete RMC plant being quietly readied in Andheri East is sparking fresh fears of dust and health distress for residents Activists and airquality experts warn that setting up an RMC plant right next to a residential pocket can pose serious health risksResidents of Andheri East especially those in JB Nagar and Chakala are raising an alarm over nearly five new RMC plants reportedly being set up near Sahar close to the airport Locals fear the units will unleash dangerous levels of dust and air pollution Activists Godfrey Pimenta and Nicholas Almeida from the Watchdog Foundation have already complained about the same to the K East ward of the BMC and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board MPCBldquoThe K East ward is already battling awful air quality thanks to nonstop construction and now wersquove learnt that airport authorities have set up an RMC plant opposite the Sahar Metro Aqua Line 3 stationrdquo said Pimenta ldquoThis goes against the norms as the plant is barely metres away from the thickly populated Sahar villagerdquo midday visited the Andheri East site on FridayLocal resident and activist Nicolas Almeida said ldquoWersquove learnt that nearly five RMC plants are coming up here reportedly to supply concrete for airport works Setting up an RMC plant so close to homes is dangerous for everyone mdash especially kids and senior citizens We hope the BMC and MPCB step in and take action5No of RMC plants allegedly being set up in Andheri EastCause for concernDr Lancelot Pinto consultant pulmonologist and epidemiologist said that RMC plants can be a significant contributor to particulate matter both PM25 and PM10 in the airldquoThis can occur through multiple ways dispersion of cement during loading and unloading dispersion during transport especially on unpaved roads from storage silos and during the handling of sand and gravel Fumes from diesel if used as a fuel for the mixers and loaders can also contribute to volatile organic compounds VOC in the air These pollutants can be controlled to a great extent if protective measures are installed on site and during transportrdquo said Dr PintoImpact on healthldquoLarger particles can cause irritation of the large airways of the lungs causing a cough wheezing and breathlessness Smaller particles PM 25 and smaller can cross over into the bloodstream causing cardiovascular effects such as high blood pressure heart disease strokes and even poor control of blood sugar levels Besides these watering of eyes runny nose allergic conjunctivitis and rhinitis have all been associated with particulate pollutionrdquo said Dr Lancelot PintoHigh concentrations of PM10 and PM25 pose serious health threats especially to vulnerable populations like children the elderly and those with preexisting conditions Longterm exposure increases the risk of respiratory illnesses cardiovascular diseases and cancerWhat are PM pollutantsFine particles like PM25 and PM10 are the main pollutants affecting Mumbairsquos air These tiny dust and soot particles come from everyday sources mdash vehicles construction and burningPM25 comprises significantly smaller particles that can bypass the bodyrsquos natural defences They are small enough to pass from the lungs into the bloodstream They can then travel to the heart brain and other organs increasing the risk of serious health problems like heart attacks and strokes PM10 comprises coarse dust particles from construction sites roads and general industrial grit These are 10 micrometres or smaller mdash small enough to breathe in They get stuck in the lungs and airways which can irritate the eyes nose and throat and make conditions like asthma much worseImpact of shutting plantInfrastructure and redevelopment expert Ratnnakar Ahire said ldquoIf RMC plants shut down the hit will be felt both financially and on the ground Delays mean labour costs go up cash flow slows and some projects could even attract penalty clauses Concrete prices are likely to rise too simply because supply tightens Builders who depend on onsite RMC units will have to spend a lot more on dust control and meeting compliance norms On the operational side the break in concrete supply throws schedules off longer transport distances can affect mix quality and some developers may end up using uneven onsite mixes Plus therersquos the added load of paperwork inspections and site tweaks All of this will only push project costs further uprdquoImpact on AQIFounder and CEO of Waatavaran Bhagwan Kesbhat said ldquoIf these new RMC plants start operating without strict dust control measures Andheri Eastrsquos air quality will worsen sharply RMC units are major sources of PM25 and PM10 and in an area already choking with traffic and construction pollution even a small increase can push AQI into the lsquopoorrsquo or lsquovery poorrsquo rangerdquoWhat authorities sayWhen contacted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport authorities were unavailable for comment However sources at the airport said that the all protocols to prevent any kind of dust or air pollution are being followedWhat is RMCRMC is a premade wet concrete made at a factory and transported to the construction site in RMC drumrotating vehiclesWhat is an RMC plantSite where prewet concrete is prepared by mixing cement stones and sandBenefit to buildersSaves time and labour costs Helps in speedier construction activity