Odour Pollution

Odour pollution is known to all of us. It happens when organic waste materials spread foul smell in the environment and nature. It creates irritation among people when they live or work in nearby areas.

There is a close relationship between waste production and odour pollution. Every day, we produce huge amounts of household, commercial, medical and industrial waste materials. Wastes can be both organic and inorganic. Out of the two, organic waste materials spread more irritating smell.

Each day, 4,000 tons of solid wastes are produced in Dhaka city. But disposal of solid wastes in all the urban areas is derisory. Household garbage, and wastes from markets, restaurants, hospitals, construction sites and factories are all dumped by the roadside. As a result, the people have to suffer foul smells. Sometimes, inhaling bad odours can cause air-borne diseases in humans.  

Previously, waste management was unproblematic as most of the waste consisted of unrefined or organic materials, which would decompose naturally. Management of waste is one of the obligatory functions of urban authorities. With the present capacity in assortment, transportation and crude dumping of waste materials, the two city corporations are generally faced with severe sewage and sanitation problems. It makes living conditions in urban area unhygienic and filthy.

In Dhaka city, there are 1,000 street and waste cleaners, but most of the streets are never swept. About 40 percent of daily waste produced in the city of nearly 8.5 million people is left out on the streets. In Dhaka South City Corporation, for example, 3,500 tons of wastes are generated, of which 1,900 tons are processed. But 1,600 tons are left without processing. And this spreads stink.

To reduce odour pollution in urban areas, we may relate to integrated waste management − reuse, source reduction, recycling, composting and land-filling of organic wastes. Also, implementation of the 3Rs (reuse, reduce and recycle) approach can play an imperative role in 100 percent waste source reduction. Apart from this, large-scale composting and recycling programmes can ensure 10 to 30 percent source reduction.

As piles of organic waste materials generate odour pollution across the city, a strategy of green transportation, construction, waste bins everywhere and public awareness towards the environment would be pertinent in reducing the foul stink.

In addition, providing financial and technical support to reduce odour pollution in factories, construction and urban projects can be both nature and eco-friendly, while enhancing sustainability.

The writer is an environment analyst.

Photos: File

Odour Pollution

Odour pollution is known to all of us. It happens when organic waste materials spread foul smell in the environment and nature. It creates irritation among people when they live or work in nearby areas. There is a close relationship between waste production and odour pollution. Every day, we produce huge amounts of household, commercial, medical and industrial waste materials. Wastes can be both organic and inorganic. Out of the two, organic waste materials spread more irritating smell. Each day, 4,000 tons of solid wastes are produced in Dhaka city. But disposal of solid wastes in all the urban areas is derisory. Household garbage, and wastes from markets, restaurants, hospitals, construction sites and factories are all dumped by the roadside. As a result, the people have to suffer foul smells. Sometimes, inhaling bad odours can cause air-borne diseases in humans. Previously, waste management was unproblematic as most of the waste consisted of unrefined or organic materials, which would decompose naturally. Management of waste is one of the obligatory functions of urban authorities. With the present capacity in assortment, transportation and crude dumping of waste materials, the two city corporations are generally faced with severe sewage and sanitation problems. It makes living conditions in urban area unhygienic and filthy. In Dhaka city, there are 1,000 street and waste cleaners, but most of the streets are never swept. About 40 percent of daily waste produced in the city of nearly 8.5 million people is left out on the streets. In Dhaka South City Corporation, for example, 3,500 tons of wastes are generated, of which 1,900 tons are processed. But 1,600 tons are left without processing. And this spreads stink. To reduce odour pollution in urban areas, we may relate to integrated waste management reuse, source reduction, recycling, composting and land-filling of organic wastes. Also, implementation of the 3Rs (reuse, reduce and recycle) approach can play an imperative role in 100 percent waste source reduction. Apart from this, large-scale composting and recycling programmes can ensure 10 to 30 percent source reduction. As piles of organic waste materials generate odour pollution across the city, a strategy of green transportation, construction, waste bins everywhere and public awareness towards the environment would be pertinent in reducing the foul stink. In addition, providing financial and technical support to reduce odour pollution in factories, construction and urban projects can be both nature and eco-friendly, while enhancing sustainability. The writer is an environment analyst. Photos: File