the Central Pollution Control Board (cpcb) has recently come up with a draft guideline for
the cement sector to reduce fugitive emissions. Fugitive emissions occur primarily due to poor handling of raw materials and products such as
limestone, coal, additives, clinker and cement. They are often windblown. The draft guideline, although a positive step, is silent on key aspects to
control fugitive dust better.
The draft recommends spraying water to control dust. A Centre for Science and Environment (cse) report had earlier
brought out that 48.5 per cent of water requirement of cement plants is met by using groundwater, and most plants are located in water scarce
areas. Thus the water spray option will end up taxing the groundwater table.
cpcb has recommended different measures for open and closed storage of coal and clinker. According to the cse report, the best way to manage coal, clinker, limestone and additives include having closed covered storage yards, closed
loading and unloading with dust extractor, covered conveyor belt with bagfilter at transfer points. cpcb should have
recommended covered storage yard for limestone, coal, and clinker, say experts.
"Captive limestone mine is an integral part of cement plants and a potential source of dust. The draft guideline is silent on this. There is also no
mention of control of multiple handling of raw materials and inventory" says an official from National Council for Cement and Building Materials (nccbm).
But officials are optimistic. "The guildelines will help control fugitive dust. The cement manufacture association (cma)
has been asked to comment on the guidelines," says P K Gupta, environmental engineer at cpcb. S P Ghosh of cma said a team of representatives from cma, cpcb and the cement
sector will monitor the ground situation and report before the guidelines are finalised.
But the nccbm official is sceptical. "Implementation is weak, so even when cpcb comes
out with the final guideline it won't make much difference" he says.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.