Investigations by the ministry of environment, the MSIRI and the Agricultural Research and Extension Unit, have finally pinpointed the guilty party in the intoxication incidents in Rose-Belle. Alcodis, a factory producing ethanol for export, is actually accused of failing to abide by several of the 26 conditions set out in its Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) licence.

Last week, seven pupils and five teachers felt ill at the Rose Belle North primary school. This was not the first time pupils had been intoxicated in the school. The first incident goes back to last October and the second was just six days before last week?s resurgence of the problem. The victims were taken to Jawarharlall-Nehru hospital, after ENT irritations, nausea and headaches.The factory was immediately pointed at but Alcodis manager Jerôme Harel has always denied responsibility, ?We are not responsible for the intoxication of the pupils.?

The authorities say Alcodis unilaterally decided to use a different fuel from the one it was using at the beginning without informing them. Instead of coal, they used heavy oil, which contains more sulphur. As a remedy, the factory has been urged to raise its boiler chimney by 30 metres, use diesel instead of heavy oil, set up platforms to supervise operations and install an efficient unit to treat gas emissions.

The environmental authorities have taken advantage of the situation to insist on two other points. Vinasse, molasses without sugar content, will have to be drained off within 12 hours of production. Moreover, equipment to stop noise pollution will be needed. Neighbours have indeed complained about the noise.

The managers of Alcodis, however, refute all accusations and declare they are not responsible for the (direct or indirect) intoxication. They also say they are ready to help the ministry to find the culprit.

Bad smell of rotten fruit

This incident has given rise to many rumours. Many villagers thought the factory was responsible for the intoxication, though some of them doubt it. All agree there was a bad smell in Rose-Belle at some time. However, they could not really define its origin: some said it was molasses, others declared it smelled like rotten fruit... Supernatural events were even brought up.

The ministry has finally given an answer to the numerous questions of the villagers. The primary school has reopened after thorough cleaning. As far as Alcodis is concerned, it is still under a Prohibition Notice and will have to undergo tests until all mechanisms to avoid such problems have been set up. The tests will be done at the weekend when the school is closed.