The Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) has intensified its crackdown against illegal tyre pyrolysis plants, shutting down 13 units operating in the Keamari and Malir districts in violation of environmental regulations.
Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah had directed the environment, climate change & coastal development department and Sepa to conduct inspections of tyre pyrolysis plants across the province and take strict action against all unauthorised and non-compliant units.
Shah said activities contributing to air and industrial pollution must be dealt with firmly, while compliance with environmental laws and prescribed emission standards should be ensured without exception. Sepa then shut down eight tyre pyrolysis plants in District Keamari. Five more units were closed in the Ghaghar Phatak, Dewan Cement Road and Bin Qasim Town areas of District Malir.
Shah made it clear that violations of environmental laws and prescribed emission standards would not be tolerated. He said enforcement has been intensified under a zero-tolerance policy and strict action would continue against individuals and organisations involved in the illegal operation of tyre pyrolysis plants.
Environment Secretary Faisal Ahmed Uqaili directed Sepa Director General Ashique Langah to further intensify enforcement operations against tyre pyrolysis plants operating in violation of environmental regulations.
Uqaili said the action was taken under the Sindh government’s ban on the establishment and operation of tyre pyrolysis plants across the province. He added that inspections and enforcement operations would continue, and units found operating illegally or without the required environmental safeguards would face strict action. He said used and obsolete tyres are subjected to high temperatures under limited-oxygen conditions during pyrolysis to produce oil, carbon black, steel and gas.
However, units operating without adequate emission-control systems, filtration arrangements and other environmental safeguards may release toxic fumes, fine particulate matter, volatile organic compounds and other hazardous pollutants into the atmosphere, he added.
He also said emissions from unsafe tyre-processing operations can cause breathing difficulties, irritation of the eyes and throat, asthma and other respiratory problems. Prolonged exposure to polluted air can pose more serious risks to workers and residents of the nearby communities, he added.
