R. VIJAYLAKSHMI, WHO was a temporary worker in the factory, on a visit to a dentist. “I was strong, like twice your body. Now I am like this. Sick, diseased, and consuming medicines all the time. I had a tumour in my uterus.. I am just 38 years of age.”
RUBY MARTIN AT the grave of her son, Christopher, who worked in the factory for six years from 1985. In 1990, aged 27, he developed health problems, including poor vision, high fever and breathing difficulties. A doctor he consulted in Tiruchi advised him to work outside the mercury area. He resigned a few months after the company refused to transfer him citing difficulty in training a person to take his place without production being affected. Christopher died in 1997. His health records showed bronchitis but the workers’ union suspects that mercury vapour was the cause. Photo – SUDHANSHU MALHOTRA
