The TNPCB's order comes in the wake of an independent assessment by its Hazardous Waste Management Committee (HWMC) which reported that HLL had produced a huge quantity of mercury at its factory in the hill station of Kodaikanal.

Mr G Ananthapadmanabhan, Executive Director of Green Peace India, which had spearheaded an agitation and organised demonstrations against dumping of mercury by the HLL, told reporters today that the TNPCB had issued its order on March ten last.

In its order, the TNPCB said the company had been requested to export stocks of mercury, mercury-contaminated glass scrap and Effluent Treatment Plant sludge containing mercury to the US.

''Considering the ecological sensitivity of the area, elemental mercury in the form of stocks, work in progress and in Effluent Treatment plant sludge are required to be removed immediately,'' the TNPCB said.

''The unit has been instructed to pack and despatch the material in the presence of TNPCB officials, who will also be verifying the records. It is suggested that the members of the working committee who are willing to be present during packaging and despatch of the consignments may kindly do so. The process of packaging and despatching, expected to start on March 24, may continue till the end of the third week of April.'' The TNPCB also asked the company to render necessary cooperation to its team of officials to carry out the process without hindrance.

The committee said in its report that remediation measures at the site should not be initiated unless the entire stock of mercury was exported.

Mr Ananthapadmanabhan said in compliance with the TNPCB's order, the company had started packing the mercury wastes, which the firm had put at 5.50 tonnes, in a container and was transporting it by road to Tuticorin port from where it would be sent to the United States.