The Hidden Cost of “Clean Fuel”: How Ethanol Production Is Raising Pollution Concerns in India
For decades now, ethanol has been touted as one of the most promising alternatives to fossil fuels. From governments worldwide, including that of India, there has been advocacy for blending ethanol because of its green attributes, such as lower carbon emissions and reduced dependence on imported crude oil. However, recent incidents in Byrnihat, which has become one of the most polluted towns in India, have reignited a question: Is green as it is purported to be?
A viral video from Byrnihat, Meghalaya, has highlighted the pollution by industries causing the production of ethanol. Smoke, soot, and illnesses reported by locals have brought up the hidden environmental price tag of producing this ‘green fuel.’
Whereas ethanol is indeed cleaner when burnt than petrol, ethanol production paints a slightly different picture.
Why Byrnihat Has Become the Centre of the Debate
Located near the Assam-Meghalaya border, Byrnihat has been making headlines across the nation but not for any positive reasons. The reports and eyewitness accounts show that the recent industrial boom in the region has significantly deteriorated air quality in the last few years.
As seen in the viral video, smoke can be seen emanating from the chimneys of factories, black dust lying everywhere around the agricultural lands and houses, and the people talking about breathing problems and skin problems. Some of the many industries present in the region include cement factories, distilleries, and ethanol manufacturing units.
While there has been no concrete scientific proof that connects a particular factory to certain diseases, statistics provided by the government point to an alarming increase in cases of respiratory disorders. And thus, Byrnihat raises another question: Can the manufacturing of green fuel itself cause pollution?
Understanding How Ethanol Is Formed
It is imperative that one comprehends how ethanol is manufactured first.
Ethanol is a type of alcohol that can be produced by the fermentation of plants rich in sugars. The process starts by using crops such as sugarcane, maize, rice, and wheat. Such crops have starch or sugars that are changed into glucose.
The chemical equation for the reaction is as follows:
C₆H₁₂O₆ → 2C₂H₅OH + 2CO₂
Simply put, the yeast converts glucose into ethanol and carbon dioxide.
The process comprises mainly three stages:
- Feedstock Preparation – The crops are prepared to obtain the sugars or starch from them.
- Fermentation – The microorganisms ferment the sugars to produce alcohol.
- Distillation – The alcohol is purified and concentrated for use as fuel.
While it seems simple at first glance, on an industrial level, this process requires huge amounts of resources.
Why Ethanol Is Considered Cleaner Than Petrol
There are several reasons why ethanol is considered to be a cleaner fuel, but the main one is its renewability.
Unlike gasoline, which is produced from crude oil, formed over millions of years, ethanol is produced from plants that absorb CO2 when growing. Thus, there is a carbon cycle during which some emissions generated at the time of burning are compensated for by CO2 absorbed by crops.
Several major advantages are:
- lower levels of greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels
- Reduced oil dependency
- high octane number (engine efficiency)
- economic benefits for farmers providing raw materials
India’s ethanol blending initiative helped India to reduce its crude oil imports and boost rural incomes. The promotion of E20 fuel (blending 20% ethanol) falls under India’s energy security policy. However, cleaner burning doesn’t always mean clean manufacturing.
The Environmental Cost of Ethanol Manufacturing
It is here that the debate gets serious.
Ethanol manufacturing plants use huge quantities of both water and energy. For instance, rice-based ethanol is very resource-intensive. To produce a litre of ethanol, it may take thousands of litres of water. This leads to a variety of environmental problems.
Large Water Usage
India is already witnessing a depletion of groundwater in several states. The diversion of water for fuel production poses ethical and environmental dilemmas when that same water could be used for drinking and agricultural purposes. Amongst the biggest sources of ethanol is rice, which uses large quantities of water.
Air Pollution from Factories
These plants use boilers that run on either coal or biomass energy, which may emit:
- Sulfur dioxide
- Nitrogen oxides
- Particulate matter
- Carbon monoxide
Such pollutants, if uncontrolled, could have adverse effects on the ambient air quality. The case of Byrnihat appears to highlight this problem.
Waste Industrial Water and Vinasse
Vinasse is a dark-colored and acidic liquid that contains high levels of organic matter and is one of the major products of ethanol production.
Vinasse, if not properly disposed of, can:
- Pollute the river and water table
- Lower soil fertility
- Impact the aquatic life negatively
- Develop an offensive odour and bacterial culture
This has been a major problem in several ethanol-producing areas in India.
The Human Health Effects of Industrial Pollution
Though ethanol itself may not be harmful in its blended form, pollution caused by ethanol plants can impact the communities living near the plant.
Industrial pollution can cause:
Respiratory Issues
Particles get into the lungs and cause the following issues:
- Cough
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
Shortening of the lungs’ capacity
The increase in the number of respiratory cases in Byrnihat shows this.
Skin and Eye Irritation
Industrial chemicals and particles usually result in:
- Skin allergies
- Eye burning
- Rashes
- Dryness
Possibility of Getting Sick in The Long Term
Consistent contact with industrial pollutants can put one at risk of:
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Fibrosis of the lungs
- Nervous system disorders
- Some forms of cancer
The Zira Example: A Warning India Already Saw
This is not the only instance of its kind.
There were widespread demonstrations held against the Malbros ethanol factory in Zira, Punjab, due to pollution of groundwater and a drop in crop production in 2023. Industrial waste in the area had been identified as dangerous by an investigation conducted by a pollution board.
The factory was finally closed down, but the legal fight is still going on.
This instance proves that poorly regulated industries for renewable fuels may pose dangers to the environment.
Are Better Alternatives Available?
Yes, indeed. The country is currently working on 2G ethanol. In contrast to the conventional type, which is derived from food grains, such as rice and maize, 2G ethanol is produced from agricultural residue, including:
- Rice straw
- Sugarcane bagasse
- Wheat stubble
- Corn cobs
Besides solving issues regarding food security and reduction in water consumption, it also addresses another serious challenge, stubble burning.
Rather than burning the residues in the fields and polluting the air, it could be used for producing ethanol.
Apart from that, research is being conducted on bamboo and algae-based ethanol.
Bamboo plants grow fast and require minimal water, whereas algae do not need any farmland to cultivate; they could be grown in sewage water.
The Bigger Question: Is India Moving Too Fast?
However, the use of ethanol blending in India has both economic and strategic advantages. However, rapid growth without proper environmental regulations would result in some negative impacts as well.
While it is important to reduce oil imports, it is crucial to make sure that the chosen alternative will not cause new environmental issues.
The experience of Byrnihat is a lesson that the notion of sustainability goes further than the fuel itself, it covers all aspects of the production of this particular product.
Cultivation of crops, emission of waste gases, and disposal of waste products are as important as the fuel quality itself.
Conclusion
Ethanol cannot be considered a devil or an ultimate solution, this biofuel is in the grey zone, and its advantages depend on the responsibility of the production process.
Ethanol may contribute to a decrease in the amount of greenhouse gases; however, if production involves air pollution, significant water consumption, and a negative impact on local communities, its sustainability will be questioned.
Nowadays, India is facing a period of transition in the field of energy supply, and ethanol may still be used as a source of energy, but only with more strict pollution control and careful selection of feedstock.
The lesson from Byrnihat is simple: clean energy must be clean at every step, not just at the moment of combustion.
