According to a State Pollution Control Board study, people living in the iron ore mining belt of Goa are exposed to dust particles above permissible levels, which can be highly hazardous to their health.

The data collected by Goa State Pollution Control Board from seven crucial mining areas have disclosed that the particulate materials of 2.5 and 10 microns were much above the permissible levels in these localities, which are thickly populated.

The GSPCB Chairman, Mr Simon D'Souza said that inhalation of 2.5 micron particles was very dangerous as it directly enters the respiratory system. The Ambient Air Quality Monitoring stations installed in these areas have recorded above-normal presence of the thick dust particulate in air.

Mr D'Souza said they were collecting data twice a week, which revealed these figures. He said that “We have now issued notices to the mining companies operating in these areas.”

But the Board cannot zero in on the violator as many mining firms use the same road where the pollution check is done through AAQMS.

The authorities have noticed that the transportation of ore from the mining site to the river point where it is unloaded in the ships to be exported further, creates pollution on the way.

The truckers disobey mandatory requirements of covering the ore while transporting and also regarding overloading their vehicles with the ore.

The statistics were collected from seven different stations at Curchorem, Usgao, Assnora, Amona, Bicholim, Codli and Honda since November 2010.

(Sourced from PTI)