India, April 16 -- From production to usage to disposal, it is a threat to those who come in its contact
"If you are here to set up a health camp, labourers from the plant will come in droves to get tested. There are many who suffer from skin and respiratory ailments," says Rafeeq ( name changed on request ). Rafeeq has worked at the naphtha terminal of Indian Oil Corporation refinery in Haryana's Panipat district for over a decade. Naphtha is a by-product of the petroleum refining process from which nearly all of the world's plastic is made. "Over the past couple of years, I have developed an acute respiratory infection. As per the doctor, the likely reason is inhalation of toxic substances," Rafeeq says.
Rafeeq's is not an isolated case...