Press release - September 10, 2003
COCHIN, India — Greenpeace today confirmed that the unchecked pollution at Eloor industrial estate near Cochin has resulted in increased rates of disease and death amongst the local population Diseases like Cancer, congenital birth-defects, Bronchitis, Asthma, Allergic Dermatitis and Stomach Ulcers were found to be extremely common in Eloor according to a Cross sectional Epidemiological study conducted by Greenpeace and medical teams from Occupational Health and Safety Centre, Mumbai with support and advice from Community Health Cell, Bangalore, NIMHANS , Bangalore and St. John’s Medical College Bangalore.
According to the first level findings of the study "Status of
Human Health at Eloor Industrial Estate, Kerala", in comparison to
the less polluted Pindimana in the same district , the chances that
Eloor citizens will contract Cancer are 2.85 times higher. Children
are 2.63 times at higher risk of malformation due to congenital and
chromosomal aberrations. Chances of death due to an accident are
2.7 times higher. Chances that children may die due to Birth
Defects have increased 3.8 times. Death due to Bronchitis at Eloor
is up by 3.4 times. Death due to Asthma in Eloor is up by 2.2
times.
"A poisoned river means a dying people. This much is clear. This
Corporate sponsored genocide must be stopped immediately. In the
light of the findings of this study, the state must wake up from
its slumber and take immediate action. Zero Discharge on the river,
Clean Production at Eloor/Edayar and Compensation/Medical
Rehabilitation of all the people affected must be immediately
implemented. Although the study awaits global peer-review the
findings were shocking enough for us to release them immediately so
that these corrective remediation actions in the spirit of the
Precautionary Principle are taken", according to Manu Gopalan,
Toxics campaigner of Greenpeace India.
Greenpeace has been performing scientific investigations on
contamination of the River Periyar and the waterways of the Eloor
Industrial Belt for over four years. The first round of sampling in
1999 focussed on the serious threat posed by Hindustan Insecticides
Ltd on the waterways of Eloor. Greenpeace appointed V.J Jose as the
riverkeeper to monitor levels of pollution and to compile weekly
reports on the river's health. The River keeper's report shows
abnormal rise in the temperature of the Periyar and the high
presence of Heavy metals like Mercury, Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, and
Zinc.
"I'm watching my river die today. We're all like the people
waiting pensively by the death-bed of a loved one. The state which
has all the power to save my river is indifferent. People have lost
faith in the system. If the people of Cochin come together with
strength and conviction we can save our river NOW." Said VJ Jose,
Periyar Riverkeeper.
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1 NIMHANS - National Institute of Mental Health and
Neuro-Sciences, Bangalore.
For more information:Namrata Chowdhary, Media Officer -
9810850092
Email id: 
For more information:Manu Gopalan, Toxics Campaigner -
9811608036
Email id: 