Archive · 8 Jun 2025
Toxicology Levels Exceed Limits at Mumbai's Deonar Dump
Imagine a giant trash pile, the biggest in India, where the bad stuff in the trash is way too high.
This trash pile is in Mumbai.
A study found that the yucky water leaking from the trash has too much of some bad stuff, like chemicals.
People living nearby could get sick from it.
Now, people from a nearby slum called Dharavi are going to be moved there.
The government is planning to clean up the trash with special helpers, but it will take a few years.
Some people who can't get new homes in Dharavi will be moved to the dumping ground, even though it's not very healthy there.
Study reveals toxicology indicator levels at Deonar dumping ground are up to four times above permissible limits.
The dumping ground, India's largest, is slated to receive relocated residents from the Dharavi slum redevelopment.
The study analyzed Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Chemical Oxygen Demand, and Total Dissolved Solids in the waste.
'Inert waste' makes up 30-50% of the waste, posing disposal challenges.
A tender for cleaning up the site has been floated, with a contractor to be finalized by June 23.
- Who
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation commissioned the study; NETEL India Limited conducted it.
- What
- A study revealed high levels of toxins at the Deonar dumping ground, posing risks to the environment and nearby residents.
- When
- The study was made public in May, with the contractor to be finalized by June 23.
- Where
- Deonar dumping ground in Mumbai
- Why
- The study highlights the hazardous conditions at the dumping ground and its implications for the relocation of Dharavi residents.
- Toxicology Levels
- Up to four times permissible limits
- Dumping Ground Size
- 326 acres
- Legacy Waste
- 1.85 crore metric tonnes
- Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) in Leachate
- 390 milligrams per litre
- Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) in Leachate
- 1,002 milligrams per litre
- Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in Leachate
- 6,550 milligrams per litre