An alarming survey by an environmental group reveals nearly half of Mumbai’s bakeries use wood as fuel, releasing harmful pollutants and endangering public health
An environmental non-profit organisation has raised serious concerns over the widespread use of wood as fuel in Mumbai’s bakeries, warning that this practice poses significant health risks to the city’s residents. The Bombay Environment Action Group (BEAG) conducted a six-month survey of 200 bakeries across Mumbai, revealing that approximately 47 percent of these establishments rely on wood fuel, primarily scrap sourced from furniture stores, for their operations.
This reliance on wood fuel is contributing to the release of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) into the air, both of which have been linked to respiratory issues such as asthma and other severe health conditions. PM2.5 refers to fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less, small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, making them particularly hazardous to human health.
The BEAG report highlights that the areas of Byculla and Mumbai Central (E ward) have the highest concentration of bakeries using wood fuel, with 84 establishments, followed by Andheri (K West ward) with 53 bakeries, and Mohammed Ali Road (B ward) with 39 units.
The study further estimated that 72 of the surveyed bakeries collectively emitted 80,381 kilogrammes of PM2.5, underscoring the severity of the pollution issue.
Electricity was found to be the second most common fuel source, used by 28 percent of the bakeries, while around 21 percent depend on a combination of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and electricity, according to the report.
In response to these findings, BEAG has called for immediate action to mitigate the health risks and environmental impact associated with wood fuel use in Mumbai’s bakeries. The organisation has advocated for a phased transition to cleaner energy sources, suggesting that bakery owners be provided with cost-benefit analyses and financial incentives to adopt more sustainable practices.
The environmental NGO has submitted its report to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), urging these authorities to take swift and decisive action. BEAG emphasised the importance of collaboration between government bodies, bakery owners, and other stakeholders to ensure a successful transition to cleaner energy sources, ultimately safeguarding the health of Mumbaikars and the city’s environment.