4/27/24, 1:44 PM HUL to commence preparatory work and trials for soil remediation | Unilever

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HUL to commence preparatory work

and trials for soil remediation
Published: 3 January 2017

Average read time: 3 minutes

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) today announced that it has been

granted permission by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB)
to commence soil remediation on a trial basis at its former factory in
Kodaikanal.

The TNPCB has asked HUL to undertake the trial for a period of three months in
accordance with its Detailed Project Report (DPR) and to treat the soil to the
maximum extent to reduce the mercury level not restricting to a level of 20 mg/kg.
The trial will begin after preparatory work is undertaken and other statutory
approvals are simultaneously processed.

The trial will be monitored by the Scientific Experts Committee (SEC), constituted by
the Supreme Court Monitoring Committee, TNPCB and Central Pollution Control
Board (CPCB) and the TNPCB will then review the results of the trial as per the data
submitted by HUL. On getting the results, SEC will then decide on fixing of Site
Specific Target Level (SSTL) and relevant monitoring process.

Commenting on TNPCB’s order, Mr. Dev Bajpai, Executive Director – Legal and
Company Secretary, HUL, said, “We welcome TNPCB’s permission for commencing
soil remediation on a trial basis as a step forward in the remediation process. HUL
has been unwavering in its commitment to cleaning up the contaminated site in its
former factory premises in a manner that is fully protective of the environment and
human health.”

TNPCB had earlier asked HUL to prepare a DPR subsequent to a rigorous assessment
process conducted by TNPCB with the SEC, and also after consultation with the CPCB
– the foremost and nodal central organization that deals with issues concerning
pollution control under the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change,
Government
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4/27/24, 1:44 PM HUL to commence preparatory work and trials for soil remediation | Unilever

Independent expert studies, including a study by Government of India’s National

Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) in October 2015, have
established that no environmental harm has been caused by HUL’s former factory in
Kodaikanal, except within the factory premises. The full facts of this matter can be
found here.

Background Information
In July 2008, TNPCB had granted permission for remediation of the soil in the factory
premises. Pre-remediation work had commenced at the site. However, this process
was stalled due to concerns raised by the NGOs. In order to address these concerns,
TNPCB had advised HUL to commission additional studies with eminent national
institutions.

The regulatory process for soil remediation was based on a review of additional
studies conducted by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) - Delhi, National Botanical
Research Institute, Lucknow and the Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation
Research Centre, Ooty (formerly called Central Soil and Water Conservation
Research & Training Institute). These institutions had been engaged as directed by
TNPCB and the SEC subsequent to their project review meeting in January 2010.

IIT Delhi revalidated the Risk Assessment Study and site specific clean-up standard;
National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, studied the impact on trees and
preservation of trees; and the Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation
Research Centre, Ooty, studied the impact on soil and soil erosion. The findings of
these additional studies were submitted to TNPCB and SEC in February 2011.

TNPCB and SEC reviewed the findings of these additional studies and had consulted
with the CPCB and subsequently directed HUL to submit a revised DPR in May 2015.
HUL submitted the DPR in August 2015.

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