Air pollution

The threats caused by peaking industrial pollution demand serious commitment on the behalf of stakeholders

According to a report carried in this newspaper on Wednesday, the Department of Environment (DoE) on Tuesday fined eight factories Tk 20 lakh for polluting the environment in Dhaka, Savar, Gazipur and Jamalpur. As part of the drive against environment pollution, the DoE Director slapped the fine on the factories following hearing. This indeed is a praiseworthy development.

Industrial pollution in Bangladesh has taken acute proportions. In this country, emissions standards often go ignored partly because of a belief the country cannot afford to hamper its economic growth. Rapidly increasing industrial pollution is one of the major problems that are contributing to air and water pollution resulting from ever-increasing chemicals and industrial emissions.

The disposal of untreated wastewater by industries has been highlighted in the media and other forums. But, unfortunately many in the authorities remained reluctant to pursue them. Various drinking water quality parameters set by WHO are being frequently violated. Human activities like improper disposal of municipal and industrial effluents are the main factors contributing to the deterioration of water quality.

Air pollution poses serious threats to people and the environment. World Health Organisation reports that 92 per cent of the world’s population lives in areas where air quality exceeds the safe levels and poses serious hazards to human health. According to a recent UNICEF report six million deaths around the globe are caused by exposure to air pollution, whether it is indoor or outdoor.

Basically, smog results from the intervention of human activities and anthropogenic emissions with the natural ecosystems. The phenomenon can be attributed to modernization and industrialization of the human communities and it tends to occur almost every year. Serious implications of smog have been observed during the past few years. It causes major health risks including asthma, lung tissue damage, bronchial infections, various forms of allergies and heart problems. There is no other option left for the general public except wearing masks and glasses to avoid the effects of smog. Carbon capture and storage carbon capture and storage involve a new technology which focuses on securing and storing carbon dioxide emissions before they are released into the atmosphere. Although this technology is still in its early stages, successful pilot projects offer hope of developing and implementing it for large-scale projects.

The threats caused by peaking industrial pollution demand serious commitment on the behalf of people, institutions and the government to understand the impacts of their footprints on the environment and work towards building a healthier environment for the present as well as for the generations to come.

Air pollution

The threats caused by peaking industrial pollution demand serious commitment on the behalf of stakeholders

According to a report carried in this newspaper on Wednesday, the Department of Environment (DoE) on Tuesday fined eight factories Tk 20 lakh for polluting the environment in Dhaka, Savar, Gazipur and Jamalpur. As part of the drive against environment pollution, the DoE Director slapped the fine on the factories following hearing. This indeed is a praiseworthy development. Industrial pollution in Bangladesh has taken acute proportions. In this country, emissions standards often go ignored partly because of a belief the country cannot afford to hamper its economic growth. Rapidly increasing industrial pollution is one of the major problems that are contributing to air and water pollution resulting from ever-increasing chemicals and industrial emissions. The disposal of untreated wastewater by industries has been highlighted in the media and other forums. But, unfortunately many in the authorities remained reluctant to pursue them. Various drinking water quality parameters set by WHO are being frequently violated. Human activities like improper disposal of municipal and industrial effluents are the main factors contributing to the deterioration of water quality. Air pollution poses serious threats to people and the environment. World Health Organisation reports that 92 per cent of the worlds population lives in areas where air quality exceeds the safe levels and poses serious hazards to human health. According to a recent UNICEF report six million deaths around the globe are caused by exposure to air pollution, whether it is indoor or outdoor. Basically, smog results from the intervention of human activities and anthropogenic emissions with the natural ecosystems. The phenomenon can be attributed to modernization and industrialization of the human communities and it tends to occur almost every year. Serious implications of smog have been observed during the past few years. It causes major health risks including asthma, lung tissue damage, bronchial infections, various forms of allergies and heart problems. There is no other option left for the general public except wearing masks and glasses to avoid the effects of smog. Carbon capture and storage carbon capture and storage involve a new technology which focuses on securing and storing carbon dioxide emissions before they are released into the atmosphere. Although this technology is still in its early stages, successful pilot projects offer hope of developing and implementing it for large-scale projects. The threats caused by peaking industrial pollution demand serious commitment on the behalf of people, institutions and the government to understand the impacts of their footprints on the environment and work towards building a healthier environment for the present as well as for the generations to come.