Heavy Metal
Heavy Metal unveils a piercing investigation into one of India's most devastating industrial disasters. In 2001, a thermometer factory owned by Hindustan Unilever in Kodaikanal became the epicenter of a mercury poisoning scandal, shaking a hill town and raising urgent questions about corporate responsibility. This non-fiction account blends investigative journalism with environmental justice, written for readers who care about public health, worker rights, and ethical business practices.
Structured as a careful, narrative-driven analysis, Heavy Metal guides readers through the sequence of events—from concealed waste disposal to rushed internal assessments—using archival documents, court records, and firsthand interviews. The book shines a light on the people affected while showing how a multinational corporation navigated crisis management and public scrutiny. Greenpeace's involvement, fifteen years of legal battles, and a settlement for 600 ex-employees anchor the story in real-world stakes, while scientific studies reveal mercury levels in the area up to 1,000 times the safe limit.
Written with meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Heavy Metal balances factual heft with accessibility, laying out key concepts like toxic waste disposal, corporate accountability, and environmental justice in a way that informs without overwhelming. The narrative centers on workers' voices, community resilience, and the enduring question of how power and profit intersect with health and the environment.
- In-depth case study of the 2001 mercury poisoning at a Hindustan Unilever thermometer factory in Kodaikanal
- Explores corporate responses, toxic waste handling, and the human toll on workers and surrounding communities
- Tracks a fifteen-year battle for justice, including Greenpeace activism and settlements for 600 ex-employees
- Shares scientific findings about mercury levels and environmental impact, and is written with investigative rigor by Ameer Shahul
After finishing Heavy Metal, readers emerge with a clearer understanding of corporate accountability and environmental health, and a renewed sense of the power—and responsibility—of informed citizens. The book invites reflection on how communities, regulators, and activists can push for safer practices and stronger protections, leaving a lasting impression of resilience and hope.
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Heavy Metal
Heavy Metal
Heavy Metal unveils a piercing investigation into one of India's most devastating industrial disasters. In 2001, a thermometer factory owned by Hindustan Unilever in Kodaikanal became the epicenter of a mercury poisoning scandal, shaking a hill town and raising urgent questions about corporate responsibility. This non-fiction account blends investigative journalism with environmental justice, written for readers who care about public health, worker rights, and ethical business practices.
Structured as a careful, narrative-driven analysis, Heavy Metal guides readers through the sequence of events—from concealed waste disposal to rushed internal assessments—using archival documents, court records, and firsthand interviews. The book shines a light on the people affected while showing how a multinational corporation navigated crisis management and public scrutiny. Greenpeace's involvement, fifteen years of legal battles, and a settlement for 600 ex-employees anchor the story in real-world stakes, while scientific studies reveal mercury levels in the area up to 1,000 times the safe limit.
Written with meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Heavy Metal balances factual heft with accessibility, laying out key concepts like toxic waste disposal, corporate accountability, and environmental justice in a way that informs without overwhelming. The narrative centers on workers' voices, community resilience, and the enduring question of how power and profit intersect with health and the environment.
- In-depth case study of the 2001 mercury poisoning at a Hindustan Unilever thermometer factory in Kodaikanal
- Explores corporate responses, toxic waste handling, and the human toll on workers and surrounding communities
- Tracks a fifteen-year battle for justice, including Greenpeace activism and settlements for 600 ex-employees
- Shares scientific findings about mercury levels and environmental impact, and is written with investigative rigor by Ameer Shahul
After finishing Heavy Metal, readers emerge with a clearer understanding of corporate accountability and environmental health, and a renewed sense of the power—and responsibility—of informed citizens. The book invites reflection on how communities, regulators, and activists can push for safer practices and stronger protections, leaving a lasting impression of resilience and hope.
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Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
Heavy Metal unveils a piercing investigation into one of India's most devastating industrial disasters. In 2001, a thermometer factory owned by Hindustan Unilever in Kodaikanal became the epicenter of a mercury poisoning scandal, shaking a hill town and raising urgent questions about corporate responsibility. This non-fiction account blends investigative journalism with environmental justice, written for readers who care about public health, worker rights, and ethical business practices.
Structured as a careful, narrative-driven analysis, Heavy Metal guides readers through the sequence of events—from concealed waste disposal to rushed internal assessments—using archival documents, court records, and firsthand interviews. The book shines a light on the people affected while showing how a multinational corporation navigated crisis management and public scrutiny. Greenpeace's involvement, fifteen years of legal battles, and a settlement for 600 ex-employees anchor the story in real-world stakes, while scientific studies reveal mercury levels in the area up to 1,000 times the safe limit.
Written with meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Heavy Metal balances factual heft with accessibility, laying out key concepts like toxic waste disposal, corporate accountability, and environmental justice in a way that informs without overwhelming. The narrative centers on workers' voices, community resilience, and the enduring question of how power and profit intersect with health and the environment.
- In-depth case study of the 2001 mercury poisoning at a Hindustan Unilever thermometer factory in Kodaikanal
- Explores corporate responses, toxic waste handling, and the human toll on workers and surrounding communities
- Tracks a fifteen-year battle for justice, including Greenpeace activism and settlements for 600 ex-employees
- Shares scientific findings about mercury levels and environmental impact, and is written with investigative rigor by Ameer Shahul
After finishing Heavy Metal, readers emerge with a clearer understanding of corporate accountability and environmental health, and a renewed sense of the power—and responsibility—of informed citizens. The book invites reflection on how communities, regulators, and activists can push for safer practices and stronger protections, leaving a lasting impression of resilience and hope.
