ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IN BANGLADESH

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION IN BANGLADESH

The present environmental condition of Bangladesh is in alarming. Air pollution caused of increasing population, burning fossil fuels, industrialization and associated motorization. Then, the water pollution caused due to industrialization. After that, the under ground water of Bangladesh has been polluted due to arsenic. Moreover, the inhabitants of major cities of Bangladesh are also exposed to high level of noise pollution. At last, Environmental degradation of Bangladesh is also caused due to poverty, over-population and lack of awareness on the subject. We know it is manifested by deforestation, destruction of wetlands, soil erosion and natural calamities. A Few steps have been taken by the government to improve the environmental degradation and pollution control. 

Air Pollution.

Indoor air pollution is largely associated with the use of biomass fuels during cooking with lower ventilation. Industrial emissions and automobiles are the main sources of outdoor air pollution.

1. Burning of Fossil Fuel.

Air pollution mainly occurs due to burning of fossil fuels like coal, petroleum etc. Those are associated black smoke. Over 99% of the brick kilns use fossil fuel but don’t stick to the “Brick Kiln Ordinance” and pollute massive air.

2. Industrial Discharge.

Industries cause air pollution by smoke emission. Agro based industries like sugar, pulp, paper; tanneries and value added industries like textile, garments, pharmaceutics, oil refineries, and fertilizer and chemical industries are the major players for air pollution.

3. Emission from Vehicles.

One of the most important sources of air pollution in urban areas of Bangladesh is due to the unburned fuel from two stroke engine vehicles.

Water Pollution.

Water pollution creates serious health vulnerability for Bangladesh. The dumping of municipal wastes, hospital wastes and toxic environmental discharges from mostly industries and pollute both surface and ground water sources. The most dangerous warning emanating from environmental degradation is the arsenic contamination of ground water.

1. Industrial Waste.

The main business areas of Bangladesh are at Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, and Bogra districts. The contributing industries for water pollution are pulp and paper, pharmaceuticals, metal processing, food industry, fertilizer, pesticides, dyeing and painting, textile, tannery etc Everyday about 700 tanneries of Dhaka city are discharging about 16,000 cubic meters of toxic wastes.

2. Sewage Disposal.

The indiscriminate discharge of solid waste, domestic and hospital sewage are the main source of water pollution in Bangladesh. About 4,000 to 4,500 tons of solid wastes are generated daily and only half of the generated wastes are predisposed of in low lying areas or into river water. More than 500 hospitals and clinics of Dhaka city generate and release risky and toxic wastes without any treatment.

3. Arsenic Contamination.

Arsenic in ground water poses a serious environmental hazard for Bangladesh. About ninety-seven percentages of Bangladesh people have been using ground water as the main source of drinking water but the water has been threatened by arsenic contamination. More than half  of the studied population drink well-water containing >50ug/L of arsenic.

Noise Pollution.

The noise pollution is also a major health risk in Bangladesh. According to World Health Organization (WHO), 60 decibel (DB) sound can make a man deaf temporarily and 100 DB sound can cause complete deafness. The perfect sound condition for Bangladesh is 45 dB for the daytime and 35 dB for the night in peaceful areas and 50 dB for the daytime and 40 dB for the night in residential areas. The prime sources of noise pollution are industries, motorized vehicles, construction works and indiscriminate use of loudspeaker