Foreword
The Central Board for the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution in colla- boration wjth the State Pollution Control Boards initiated in the year 1982 a nationwide programme of mercury pollution control in the Caustic soda- Industry. Prior to that the Minimal National Standards (MINAs) were developed for the industry after considerable interaction with the Alkali rvianufacturers' Association of India. The target date for achiev ing the MINAS was fixed as January 31, 1984. During 1982-83, the pol!utional status of mos the then operating units were assessed. During February-March, 1985 a reassessment of all the units was undertaken with a view to sefect a best treatment techno- logy with regard to its process operation and control/recovery of mercury from wastewater. The present report is the outcome of the assessment. \It is seen that 13 units out of the 23 operating units have achieved the MINAS in its totality. The following four units are in a very unsatisfactory state.