Septic Tanks: How We Can Stop Them From Turning Into Lethal Gas Chambers

Blogs / Septic Tanks: How We Can Stop Them From Turning Into Lethal Gas Chambers

According to the Safai Karmachari Andolan, more than 1,000 people have died in India in the last decade due to manual scavenging-related incidents despite the ban on the practice of manual scavenging.

In February 2020, five people were injured when a septic tank exploded due to the accumulation of toxic gases in Dharavi, Mumbai.

Another case in Odisha was reported where a sanitation worker died of asphyxiation after entering a septic tank.

The most recent fatality was reported in August in Jharkhand, where 6 people died after inhaling toxic gases in a septic tank.

The number of deaths caused by septic tank gas poisoning or septic systems turning into lethal gas chambers is indeed shocking.

Surprisingly, nearly three decades ago, in 1993, the Government of India enacted the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, which prohibited the employment of manual scavengers in manually cleaning dry latrines.

It also prohibited the construction of dry toilets, which operate without a flush.

And yet, such unfortunate and avoidable fatalities due to septic tank gas poisoning continue to occur at a depressing regularity in India.

Septic Tanks & Toxic Gas Formation

A large amount of waste is generated from households, industries, and commercial spaces, most of which end up in septic tanks.

Recent reports indicate that methane, hydrogen sulfide, and ammonia—some of the most dangerous gases in septic tanks—can cause instant death when inhaled in high concentrations.

Generally, the solid waste is acted upon by naturally occurring microbes in the septic tank, and the resultant effluent is released into the drainage.

Most of the time, inappropriately designed septic tanks and inadequate septic tank volume add to the woes.

Furthermore, the use of chemical cleaners in large quantities kills beneficial microbes that break down organic waste, thus leading to septic tank dysfunction.

The enclosed septic tanks with incompletely decomposed waste and sewage water result in the accumulation of toxic gases, hazardous fumes, and vapour, leading to septic tank gas poisoning.

Thus, it develops into potentially harmful and poisonous gases for human beings.

When scavengers enter these tanks, they get exposed to lethal levels of these gases.

Coupled with a lack of oxygen in an enclosed space, this leads to physical discomfort, disease, and death.

Typically, the following are the primary gases or components present in a septic tank:

Methane – When organic matter in the waste is decomposed in the absence of oxygen, methane gas is generated. The enclosed area of the septic tank subsequently fills with methane, and an oxygen-deficient space is created. In such a situation, methane – a colourless, explosive, and highly flammable gas accumulates in the septic tank, leading to possible explosions.
Hydrogen Sulphide – Hydrogen sulphide is another by-product of the digestion of septage in the absence of oxygen. It is easily soluble in water; it is dissolved in sewage, inside sludge, and sediment formed in the septic tank as gas pockets. When anyone disturbs the sludge or sediment, the dissolved gas is released, thus harming the individual. Usually, hydrogen sulphide has a rotten egg smell.

In addition to the mentioned gases, sewage may contain toxic gases such as ammonia, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide, depending on various factors including temperature, pH, composition, and time.

Septic tank system failure, often caused by the absence of gas exhausts, inadequate maintenance, drain backups, pipe leaks, and excessive chemical use, can also lead to the formation and accumulation of toxic gases.

Exposure to septic tank gas poisoning for a long time can cause eye irritation, breathing issues, cough, loss of consciousness, asphyxiation, and even death.

It can cause hypoxic damage to vital body organs that cannot be treated and is usually an irreversible medical condition.

Thus, it can be clearly seen that septic tanks are death traps for the common man.

The Government of India has clearly laid down rules stating that manual scavenging or sanitation-related work is only allowed in emergency situations, provided adequate safety gear and precautions are in place.

Moreover, an ambulance must be at the spot while the work is being carried out.

Septic Tank Cleaning and Maintenance

Unfortunately, this hasn’t stopped septic tank gas poisoning-related deaths in the country.

Government data indicates that the number of deaths due to hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks between 2019 and 2023 totaled 377, according to a Groundxero report, and at least 20 deaths occurred between February and May of 2025 alone.

It is now necessary to explore possible innovative solutions to prevent such mishaps from happening again.

According to experts, existing solutions exist to prevent septic tank failure caused by the accumulation of excessive waste.

Biological solutions are now being explored to address the issue of septic tank gas poisoning once and for all.

This would help in cutting the problem at its root and save precious lives.

Organica Biotech is one of the leading companies offering an excellent range of sustainable biological solutions, which includes amazing products for addressing septic tank challenges.

Bioclean Septic and Bioclean Septic Plus are special microbial solutions for septic tank treatment that aggressively degrade organic waste.

They effectively minimize sludge buildup, thereby preventing choke-ups in a septic tank.

The other highlights of these unique septic tank cleaners include the ability to break down organic blockages in pipes, leach fields, and stone walls, thereby eliminating odor-causing bacteria.

Bioclean Septic and Bioclean Septic Plus can help you reduce the need for frequent pump-outs and eliminate the need for manual scavenging.

It is also the simplest and most effective remedy for preventing the formation of toxic gas in septic tanks.

Across the country, many individuals have successfully utilized Organica Biotech products to resolve septic tank and clogged drain issues.

Image Source: Livemint

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