Rising pollution in Barishal poses health threat

The pollution level in certain areas of Barishal city has crossed the safety limit for humans, according to officials of the department of environment (DoE). The DoE undertook a Clean Air and Sustainable Environment (CASE) project to regularly measure the air quality in the northern and southern parts of the city in two areas—Nathullabad bus terminal and Rupatali bus terminal—and found the pollution level above the safety limit.

The level of pollution recorded at Nathullabad bus terminal in December 2018 was 428.16 microgram per cubic meter, up from 412.16 microgram in 2017 and 382.8 microgram in 2011, DoE sources said. At Rupatali bus terminal, the level of air pollution in December 2018 was 414.18 microgram as against 412 microgram in 2017 and 361.41 microgram in 2011.

Muntasir Rahman, assistant biochemist of DoE, said the acceptable level of pollution for the human body is 200 microgram per cubic meter. DoE director (Barishal division) Md. Abdul Halim said black smoke from unfit vehicles, industrial units and brick kilns near the city along with dust from different construction sites were the main causes of pollution in the city for the past few years.

Earlier, the DoE often carried out drives against brick kilns and unfit vehicles running in and around the city. However, the department stopped the drives against faulty vehicles after a clash between transport workers and DoE staff in Nathullbad area in 2011.

“These drives need coordination with local government bodies, law enforcing agencies, traffic department, vehicle checking and licensing authorities,” Halim said.

Eminent citizens of Barishal have also expressed concern over the growing hazard. “Once upon a time, Barishal was a river-based city full trees and canals and named as ‘Venice of Bengal’ by national poet Kazi Nazrul. But now, the city has lost its natural purity due to pollution,” said Manabendra Batabayal, a senior socio- cultural personality.

Dr Monwar Hossain, Civil Surgeon of Barishal, said different ailments like asthma, bronchitis, suffocation and other types of health hazards caused by air pollution were growing at an alarming rate among the residents of Barishal city.
 

 

Rising pollution in Barishal poses health threat

The pollution level in certain areas of Barishal city has crossed the safety limit for humans, according to officials of the department of environment (DoE). The DoE undertook a Clean Air and Sustainable Environment (CASE) project to regularly measure the air quality in the northern and southern parts of the city in two areasNathullabad bus terminal and Rupatali bus terminaland found the pollution level above the safety limit. The level of pollution recorded at Nathullabad bus terminal in December 2018 was 428.16 microgram per cubic meter, up from 412.16 microgram in 2017 and 382.8 microgram in 2011, DoE sources said. At Rupatali bus terminal, the level of air pollution in December 2018 was 414.18 microgram as against 412 microgram in 2017 and 361.41 microgram in 2011. Muntasir Rahman, assistant biochemist of DoE, said the acceptable level of pollution for the human body is 200 microgram per cubic meter. DoE director (Barishal division) Md. Abdul Halim said black smoke from unfit vehicles, industrial units and brick kilns near the city along with dust from different construction sites were the main causes of pollution in the city for the past few years. Earlier, the DoE often carried out drives against brick kilns and unfit vehicles running in and around the city. However, the department stopped the drives against faulty vehicles after a clash between transport workers and DoE staff in Nathullbad area in 2011. These drives need coordination with local government bodies, law enforcing agencies, traffic department, vehicle checking and licensing authorities, Halim said. Eminent citizens of Barishal have also expressed concern over the growing hazard. Once upon a time, Barishal was a river-based city full trees and canals and named as Venice of Bengal by national poet Kazi Nazrul. But now, the city has lost its natural purity due to pollution, said Manabendra Batabayal, a senior socio- cultural personality. Dr Monwar Hossain, Civil Surgeon of Barishal, said different ailments like asthma, bronchitis, suffocation and other types of health hazards caused by air pollution were growing at an alarming rate among the residents of Barishal city.