Microplastics detected in soil near Periyar riverbank in Edayar industrial area in Keralam
Soil samples from a defunct industrial site in Kerala's Edayar area have tested positive for high levels of microplastic contamination. The Kerala State Pollution Control Board has ordered the site owners to implement remediation measures to prevent further environmental damage.
Why it matters
This case underscores the long-term environmental legacy of industrial waste and the challenges of site remediation near critical water sources.
Soil samples collected from the site of a now-defunct company in the Edayar industrial area, located adjacent to the banks of the Periyar River, have revealed microplastic contamination.
The tests carried out at the School of Environmental Studies, Mahatma Gandhi University, in July 2026 found that the samples contained up to 2,520 microplastic particles per kilogram. The decision to test the soil samples from the now-defunct Sreesakthi Paper Mills in Edayar was taken by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board as part of a directive issued by the National Green Tribunal, which had directed the authorities to initiate the remediation process at the site.
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