Study flags Kishangarh marble dump as major pollution hotspot

A new study by the Central University of Rajasthan found that Kishangarh's marble waste dumping yard has dangerously high PM2.5 levels, heavy metal contamination and associated health risks. Researchers urged stronger environmental monitoring, regulation and public health measures to address pollution

New Delhi: Asia’s largest marble waste dumping yard in Rajasthan’s Kishangarh, which has become a popular tourist destination, is a pollution hotspot with PM 2.5 concentrations 4-12 times higher than CPCB limits and 20-50 times higher than WHO recommendations, a new research has found.

The research, which is the first study documenting the hazardous effects of the pristine looking dumpyard, has been conducted by researchers at Central University of Rajasthan.

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The study titled “Industrial pollution to environmental degradation and human health: Evidence from the marble industries in Kishangarh, India” has been published in the prestigious “Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances”.

According to Laxmi Kant Sharma, Environmental Science professor at Central University of Rajasthan, who led the research, this is the first study conducted in a 15 km buffer around the marble waste dumping yard to assess irrigated and rain-fed agricultural soil, groundwater, and air quality, evaluate pollutant concentration by using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), and determine the mineralogical signature of contamination by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis.

The findings suggest that marble dust exposure may be associated with environmental degradation and self-reported health symptoms, underscoring the importance of environmental monitoring, regulatory oversight, and public health interventions.

“PM 2.5 concentrations were 4-12 times higher than CPCB limits and 20-50 times higher than WHO recommendations. These results indicate chronic exposure to respirable dust particles in areas surrounding marble processing facilities. The extreme values coincided with peak industrial activity and strong surface winds, suggesting that resuspension of marble dust is a critical source,” Sharma told PTI.

“The link to health outcomes is evident that 53 pc of residents and 70 pc of marble workers reported breathing difficulties, while 56 pc to 84 pc reported throat-related issues,” he added.

The study found that the pollution findings are consistent with the high prevalence of skin disease and respiratory problems reported in the health survey, both of which are commonly associated with heavy metal exposure and inhalation of contaminated dust.

“XRD analysis of soil results support mineralogical evidence that marble waste disposal can be a contributor to heavy metal enrichment in nearby soils, with contamination intensity diminishing as distance from the source increases,” Sharma said.

The dumping site, where over 700 tankers carrying around 22 lakh litres of marble slurry are emptied every day, attracts at least 5,000 visitors on a daily basis, with the footfall going up to 20,000 on weekends and holidays.

Due to its pristine white appearance, the dumping yard, spread over 350 acres, has also become a popular destination for pre-wedding and commercial shoots. Environmentalists and health experts, however, have flagged it as not just a health hazard but also a pollution hotspot. Basant Bijarniya, PhD scholar at Central University, who is co-author of the study found that metals were detected in nearby soils and groundwater during this study, with concentrations decreasing as the distance from the marble dumpyard increased.

“This spatial gradient strongly supports the clarification that marble waste is a main contributor to localized heavy metal pollution. “Thus, while carbonate minerals dominate the mineralogy of marble waste, the minor presence of Pb and Cu-bearing mineral phases may be associated with the observed deterioration in soil and water quality and the human health potential in the study area,” he said.

In addition to air and soil pollution, the hydrological ecosystem of Kishangarh has also been negatively impacted by the marble industry operations. During the monsoon season, waste slurry accumulated in open lands is washed away by surface runoff, ultimately reaching drainage systems and local ponds.

“The local population depends significantly on borewells and handpumps for potable water, hence posing a considerable danger of chronic exposure to polluted groundwater. Prolonged use of such water is linked to gastrointestinal discomfort, renal issues, and in severe instances the emergence of skeletal deformities,” Bijarniya said.