All landfills leach poisons. Depending on the location of the landfill, the migration of the poisons into the groundwater can take place immediately or over a long period of time. In places such as Pallikaranai, where the dumping takes place in and around water bodies, leachates (the concentrated poisons from garbage) can enter surface and groundwater immediately. Additionally, the constantly smoldering landfill fires also give rise to dioxins and furans which are the most poisonous chemicals known to humanity. The box below outlines the health effects of some of the poisons that are likely to leach from municipal waste landfills.

For a detailed discussion on landfills and leachates, visit the Friends of the Earth site.

Health Effects of Toxic Chemicals in Landfill Leachates

Arsenic	Cancer causing; cardiovascular, peripheral nervous system, reproductive and lung/respiratory effects; liver and skin damage
Cadmium	Probable carcinogen and teratogen; toxic to embryos; effects on Central Nervous System (CNS), reproductive and lung/respiratory systems; kidney damage
Chromium	Carcinogenic, probable mutagen, lung/respiratory effects, allergic sensitization, eye irritation
Lead	Probable teratogen, kidney and brain damage, CNS and reproductive effects, blood cell disorders; negatively affects intelligence, growth and development of children.
Mercury	Teratogenic (organic mercury substances); CNS, cardiovascular and lung/respiratory effects; kidney and visual damage
Nickel	Probable carcinogen, possible teratogen, lung/respiratory effects, allergic sensitization, eye and skin irritation, liver and kidney damage
Benzene	Human carcinogen, mutagen, and possible teratogen; central nervous system (CNS), peripheral nervous system, immunological and gastrointestinal effects; blood cell disorders; allergic sensitization; eye and skin irritation
Chloroform	Probable human carcinogen and possible teratogen; CNS and gastrointestinal effects; kidney and liver damage; embryotoxic; eye and skin irritation
1,1-dichlorethane	Embryotoxic; CNS effects; kidney and liver damage
Ethylbenzene	CNS effects; kidney and liver damage; upper respiratory system, eye and skin irritation
Methylene Chloride	Possible carcinogen; CNS, lung/respiratory system, and cardiovascular effects; blood disorders; eye and skin irritation
Tetrachloroethylene	Probable carcinogen; CNS and lung/respiratory effects; embryotoxic; kidney and liver damage; upper respiratory tract and eye irritation
Toluene	Possible mutagen and carcinogen; CNS and cardiovascular effects; kidney and liver damage; upper respiratory tract, eye and skin irritation; and allergic sensitization
Trichloroethylene	Possible carcinogen and teratogen; CNS , kidneys, liver, cardiovascular system, and lung/respiratory system effects; blood cell disorders; skin, eye and upper respiratory irritation
1,1,1-trichloroethylene	Carcinogenic; mutagenic; CNS and lung/respiratory effects; kidney and liver damage; eye and skin irritation
Vinyl Chloride	Carcinogenic; mutagenic; possible teratogen; CNS effects; kidney and liver damage; blood cell disorders; and skin irritation
Xylene	CNS and cardiovascular effects; kidney and liver damage; upper respiratory and eye irritation

SOURCE: Adapted from New Jersey Fact Sheets (from Right-to-Know Network) and The Poisoned Well (Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund, 1989)