Impact of industrial pollution on health and environment: A study of urban slums in rourkela

Abstract

The present study focuses on the impact of industrial pollution on health and environment in the western belt of Odisha, especially Rourkela, where there exist a steel plant spanning over six decades and some other small industries. Industry and development are complementary to each other. Rapid industrialization has generated employment opportunities and modern amenities for people. While one side of the story is so good, the other side of the story is not that impressive. The objectives of the present study are impact of industrial pollution on health and environment. A purposive sample from two areas having 126 households altogether were included in the study out of which there were 84 households in the experimental area (industrial area i.e., Sheetal pada) and 42 households in the control area (non-industrial area i.e., Lauwakera). The findings revealed that in the experiment area maximum people are suffering with diseases like tuberculosis, gastric etc. whereas in control group the numbers of sufferer are less. Though specific information regarding the air and water quality could not be obtained from the study areas, it can be inferred that the occurrence of various diseases in the experimental area may be attributed to contaminated air and water for a long time. The study has also certain limitations in terms of the sample and variable selections that need to be reexamined in future studies of such kind.