Fire at factory prompts officials to hold medical camp at Ranipet

Workers, villagers screened for respiratory problems

Smoke billows form the factory which caught fire at Ranipet on Monday.

Two days after a fire occurred at a factory in Ranipet, the Public Health Department launched a survey-cum-medical camp at the factory and its surrounding villages to ascertain impact of smoke on the health of employees and villagers.

“We have taken up a survey-cum-medical camp at the surrounding villages starting on Wednesday. Our paramedical staff are conducting door-to-door survey to check if any resident has been affected by the smoke that emanated from the factory. We are looking at people who were exposed to the smoke and if they are having any symptoms of respiratory problems,” a senior health official said.

A fire had occurred at the processing area of Gujarat Enviro Protection and Infrastructure Limited at phase III of SIPCOT, Ranipet, during the early hours of Monday. The company collects hazardous waste from factories such as those manufacturing paints and converts it into fuel for cement industries. Fire fighters managed to put out the fire at 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the Health Department conducted medical camps at the factory for its workers and employees, and for residents of three surrounding villages. “Two medical officers and their teams screened workers and employees at the camp organised at the factory. Nearly 75 of them were screened here. Only one or two of them complained of throat irritation, and others did not have any symptoms or abnormal diagnosis,” a health officer said.

Three villages covered

A mobile medical team – hospital on wheels - covered residents of three villages – Nammakulamottur, Seekarajapuram Mottur and Thakkampalayam. “As many as 221 residents were screened but none had symptoms of respiratory infections,” the officer said.

Officials said three more villages – Nellikuppam, Nellikuppam Mottur and Ekambaranallur - will be covered on Thursday. They will also continue to hold a camp at the factory on Thursday to cover the remaining workers.