“2. The Tribunal dealt the matter by way of final order dated 12.12.2013 noting that environmental degradation and havoc was being caused by unscientific handling of plastic on the environment. Plastic clogs the natural cycles - both physico - chemical as well as biological. Recklessly littered plastic was injurious even to the animals which devour it. There is temptation to dispose the plastic by burning which generates fumes containing toxic volatile emissions. Plastic combustion also generates airborne particulate emissions (soot) and solid residue ash (black carbonaceous material). It was observed that several studies have demonstrated that soot and solid residue ash poses high potential of significant health and environmental concerns. Soot so generated contains Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), semi-VOCs, smoke (particulate matter), particulate bound heavy metals including Lead, Cadmium, Chromium and Copper, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and Dioxins, which have the ability to travel long distances, depending on prevailing atmospheric conditions before it drops back to earth and thus, enters into the food chain. Composition of by-products of plastic combustion with respect to its type and concentration depends on the combustion temperature and the flame residence time. A study of the combustion of Polyethylene (both Low and High Density Polyethylene) at different operating conditions detected more than 230 VOCs and semi-VOCs, especially Olefins, Paraffin, Aldehydes and light hydrocarbons including benzo(a)Pyrene and 1,3,5 Trimethyl benzene. Significant amount of pollutants of environmental and health concern including carcinogens such as PAHs, nitro-PAHs and Dioxins have been identified in the airborne particulate emissions. Further, these particulates have been found to be highly mutagenic. PAHs in the range of 8-340 ppm have been observed in the soot which is significant enough to cause cancer. Di-(2ethylehexyl) phthalate (DEHP), one of the compounds among the plasticizers used in plastic manufacturing, has been described by US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) as a probable human carcinogen, a potential endocrine disruptor and is believed to be harmful by inhalation, generating possible health risks and irreversible effects. The Tribunal directed the authorities to perform their statutory duty and deal with the matter.
