Kodaikanal often referred as Princess of Hill Stations  is a popular vacation spot in Southern India (Tamil Nadu). The place has a long history as a retreat and popular tourist destination. It was established by British Raj in 1845 as a refuge from the high temperatures and tropical diseases of the  plains. Kodaikanal’s economy mainly thrives on tourism. 

Kodaikanal Mercury Poisoning – Background

• In 1983, due to strict environmental regulation in the United States on mercury, Chesebrough Pond’s Inc. exported its decades-old mercury thermometer factory to India from the US. The factory was opened in Kodaikanal.
• In 1986 Unilever’s subsidiary Hindustan Lever Limited (HLL) acquired this thermometer plant as a part of Unilever’s acquisition of Chesebrough Pond’s.
• The factory had produced millions of thermometers and uses about 900 kg of mercury every year. The manufactured thermometers were mainly exported to the US and Europe.
• The HLL did not follow any safety measures during its operations. It was fraudulently registered as a “glass manufacturing” unit.
• Their usual way of disposing Mercury was blowing the mercury contaminated air outside the factory and into Kodaikanal and the shola forest.
• Thousands of workers have been exposed to the mercury due to the unsafe working conditions in the factory.
• Many workers and their children have succumbed or are suffering from mercury induced illness.
• In March 2001, the HLL thermometer factory was shut down due to the mounting public pressure.
• Even today several thousand tons of mercury-contaminated wastes and soils are lying inside and around the factory.

Can Unilever dare to dispose mercury in such a manner in its home country?

Analysis of Reports

• An investigation by the Department of Atomic Energy of Government of India found that the free Mercury level in the atmosphere of Kodaikanal was 1000 times more than what is found in normal conditions.
• Analysis of water, sediment and fish samples collected from Kodaikanal Lake  showed elevated levels of mercury four years after the stoppage of mercury emissions.
• The former workers of the factory had visible signs of Mercury poisoning such as gum and skin allergy and related problems.
• The exposure to Mercury is also affecting the next generation. It causes congenital anomalies among ex-workers’ children.
• The contaminated Mercury has not been cleaned up in the 14 years since this plant was shut down. The contamination continues to impact forests and groundwater.

Effects of Mercury Poisoning

• Mercury is dangerous to flora and fauna even in small doses.
• In human beings, continuous exposure of Mercury (element)leads to damage or impairment of vital organs such as Brain, Kidneys and Liver.
• Gum and dental problems, mood swings and nervous disorders.
• Birth defects in children born of exposed mothers.
• Skin allergies may develop. Repeated exposure can lead to persistent and itchy rashes.

The poor workers, who cannot afford private healthcare, have been fighting for Unilever to clean up the toxic contamination and compensate them for their medical expenses.

We use almost all the above products everyday. The People of Kodaikanal need us to stand with them now, more than ever. 

How we are going to support them? We have two options.

1. Signing a petition in various sites.

2. Stop using all the Unilver’s Products. 

The decision is yours.