Microplastics detected in soil near Periyar riverbank in Edayar industrial area in Keralam

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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.

The samples were collected from the land adjacent to the riverbank on the eastern side of the plot. Two samples were collected from around four and 10 metres, respectively, from the riverbank. The first sample contained 2,520 microplastic particles/kg, while the second sample had 1,520 microplastic particles/kg. The microplastics identified were in the form of fibres, films and foams, according to the findings.

Officials of the Kerala State Pollution Control Board in Ernakulam said that a letter had been issued to the management asking them to submit a detailed proposal outlining the measures to prevent the intrusion and migration of plastic waste from the site into the river.

A senior company representative said that they would comply with the directive issued by the Central and State Pollution Control Boards. “We have informed the authorities that we will set up sheet piling on our land adjacent to the riverbank as part of the remediation process,” he said.

The industrial unit was closed in 2016 after the State Pollution Control Board found that untreated effluents were being discharged from the industrial unit into the river. The industry was situated on 8.75 acres, and about 81 cents were utilised for dumping plastic waste and incinerator ash generated from the processes. The unit had been converted into a warehousing facility under a new company name.

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