: A writ petition was filed in the Kerala High Court on Monday seeking a directive to prohibit the use of PVC flex during the election campaign and other functions.
The petition was filed by L.Sugathan of Kollam, According to him, huge flex banners and cut-outs of political leaders of all hues had started appearing by the roadsides and on buildings since the announcement of the elections.
The PVC flexes polluted air by generating poisonous gases when it was burnt. Besides, it also polluted water sources when thrown to the water bodies. The PVC contained vinyl chloride monomer, a cancer causing chemical. The pollution control board had highlighted the hazardous nature of PVC flexes.
According to him, the State had been facing a dangerous environmental problem due to the use of PVC flex boards and banners. In fact, they were not recyclable. The government had not taken any strict action against the use of PVC flex boards and banners on the ground that hundreds of people were employed in this sector.
The petitioner said eco-friendly alternatives such as clothes or paper banners could be used instead of PVC flex banners. There was no room for fear of unemployment as these workers could shift to production of alternative materials.
