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28 Feb

CSE Welcomes MoEFCC’s New Notification on Brick Kilns

Context

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) came up with stringent standards for brick kilns.

Background

In 2015, MoEF&CC introduces a draft notification for the brick sector, proposing to bring down emissions standards from 750 mg / Nm3 to 500 mg / Nm3 for natural draft kilns and to 250 mg / Nm3 for induced draft kilns.
In 2017, CPCB orders all brick kilns across India to convert to zigzag setting, with rectangular kiln shape.
In 2019, CSE conducts independent stack monitoring of brick kilns across northern India. The study finds that the emissions from all types of Fixed Chimney Bull’s Trench Kiln (FCBTK) are higher than all types of zigzag brick kilns that were monitored.
CSE has been working with MoEF&CC since 2015 to rein in the highly polluting sector, not only to reduce air pollution but also improve efficiency and reduce coal consumption.
Petcoke, which has high sulphur content, was also used without any control measures.
MoEF&CC, in its current notification, has mandated allowing brick kilns only with zig-zag technology or vertical shaft or use of piped natural gas (PNG) as fuel in the brick-making process.
The introduction of PNG as a fuel is a welcome step since its use in older technology like Fixed Chimney Bull’s Trench Kiln (FCBTK) will automatically reduce the PM emissions.

Salient features of the notification are:

Standard for PM emissions — 250 milligram per normal cubic metre (mg / Nm3)
Existing brick kilns shall be converted to either zig-zag technology or vertical shaft or use of PNG as fuel in brick making within a period of one year in case of kilns located within a 10 km radius of non-attainment cities and two years for other areas.
All brick kilns shall use approved fuel such as PNG, coal, fire wood and / or agricultural residues.
Use of pet coke, tyres, plastic, hazardous waste shall not be allowed in brick kilns.
Brick kilns shall construct permanent facility for port hole and platform according to the norms laid down by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Brick kilns shall follow fugitive dust emission control guidelines as prescribed by concerned SPCBs.
The brick kiln owners shall ensure that the roads utilised for transporting raw material or bricks are paved.

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GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs