A large number of residents in areas near dump yards such as Kodungaiyur have developed skin lesions, according to a survey done in February. The survey was carried out in seven out of 15 zones of Chennai Corporation from February 14 to February 28 as part of identifying suspected cases of leprosy infection among residents.

While GCC teams visited households of seven zones to check signs of leprosy in the last two weeks, the number of residents who have reported skin lesions has increased, according to preliminary estimates. Health officials said a regular leprosy test for those who report skin lesions will be conducted, as part of protocol.

Volunteers said the number of residents with skin lesions had risen when compared with previous surveys. Councillors of wards in the vicinity of dumpyards have started requesting the government to stop waste management projects in congested areas. Councilor S.Jeevan of ward 35 in north Chennai in the vicinity of Kodungaiyur dumpyard said the residents have started objecting to the waste management projects in Kodungaiyur as the public health issues have started rising. 

“Residents have requested the government to close the Kodungaiyur dumpyard. The proposal for waste to energy project will also cause pollution. The number of residents in the vicinity of the Kodungaiyur dumpyard is estimated at 10 lakh. The risk to residents in such congested areas is high. We request the government to stop waste management projects in north Chennai and develop an engineering college and a medical college and hospital in the area, after closing the dumpyard. We want the government to find an alternative site to process waste away from congested parts of the city,” said Mr.Jeevan.

An official of Chennai Corporation said leprosy infection was caused because of people to people contact and Kodungaiyur dumpyard was not the reason for leprosy casses. “Residents in several neighbourhoods of zones such as Tiruvottiyur, Madhavaram, Tondiarpet, Royapuram, Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, Anna Nagar and Sholinganallur have been surveyed to identify leprosy patients. Each of the teams covered 40 houses per day for two weeks to collect the data.  Around 200 teams collected data from each neighbourhood.

A.Francis, president of the Federation of Thoraipakkam Residents Welfare Associations, said skin infections and lung infections have been rising among residents in the vicinity of Perungudi dumpyard. “We request the government to shift the dump yard and shelve all projects that increase pollution. The area is densely populated. The risk is high,” said Mr.Francis.

T.K.Shanmugam, president, Federation of North Chennai Residents Welfare Association, said the government should stop waste disposal and waste processing in congested areas of the city and shift to the outskirts to reduce the public health risk to lakhs of residents.