In a letter to Municipal Commissioner G R Aloria, Kothari has stated that the use of chemicals poses serious threat to the health of the residents of several areas including, Bajwada, Shyamalbecharni Pol, Baranpura and Narsinhiji's Pol.

The VMC, following representations by Kothari almost one and a half year ago, had sealed the shop, but they were reopened after shopkeepers assured not to use the chemicals. Kothari has claimed that the shopkeepers use potassium cyanide.

Stating that the chemical was also used for melting gold and silver ornaments, the councillor has alleged that the shopkeepers had not obtained the necessary license from the Health Department and under the Shops and Establishment Act.

Pointing out that the ``mini-refineries'' were causing severe damage to residents' health, Kothari has demanded that action be taken against them like in Ahmedabad.

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation recently convened a meeting with the health minister to chalk out a plan to take strict action against such shopkeepers. According to information, the AMC had also allocated Rs 2.87 lakh to survey such shops.