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Defunct Paper Mill Blamed for Microplastic Pollution in Periyar River
9 Sep
Summary
- Microplastics found in Periyar River near defunct paper mill
- Pollution control board ordered site cleanup, but challenges remain
- Lack of global standards complicates assessment of microplastic contamination
In September 2025, a study conducted by the School of Environmental Studies at Mahatma Gandhi University has revealed the presence of microplastics in the Periyar River near the Edayar industrial area in Kerala. The analysis, carried out as per the recommendation of a joint committee set up by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board, found microplastics in the categories of fiber, fragment, film, and foam in various colors.
The investigation was prompted by the National Green Tribunal's directive to make the site of the now-defunct Sree Sakthi Paper Mills free of any contamination. The paper mill, which operated on an 8.75-acre plot, had been discharging untreated effluents into the river, leading to its closure in 2016.
The report from Mahatma Gandhi University indicates that microplastics were found in both water and soil samples collected from the area. However, the committee noted the lack of a globally-standardized, permissible limit for microplastics in soil, making it challenging to assess the extent of the contamination. Establishing a universally-accepted threshold remains a complex issue due to various factors.
Despite the efforts to clean up the site, the presence of microplastics in the Periyar River continues to raise environmental concerns in the region.
