A study conducted by a Chennai-based environmental group has shown high levels of heavy metal-laden dust in air samples taken from around the Kodungaiyur dumpyard, exposing residents around the area to acute health hazards.

The samples were taken from the house of Perambur MLA A Soundararajan in February 2012 and were sent to a lab in the United States for analysis. Addressing a press conference on Saturday, A Soundararajan said the Respirable Particulate Matter (RPM) in the sample taken was two times in excess of the standards set by the Central Pollution Control Board. A second sample collected from another house during a fire at the dumpyard showed the RPM levels three times higher than prescribed norms.