ABSTRACT
Environmental pollution is as old as the civilization itself. It
has become a major concern in the last few decades. It is the by product of the
development of civilization and in fact a price for the progress. It is more
prone in case of Bangladesh. Air pollution of Bangladesh is mainly caused by
the vehicle emission, industrial discharge and burning of fossil fuel. The
water resource of Bangladesh becomes a major health hazard due to arsenic
contamination, inadequate solid waste and industrial effluent management.
Necessary steps are to be taken to protect the environment for our own
existence. This paper provides an overview of different environmental problems
of Bangladesh and discusses the ways to improve it
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Pollution
has become the first enemy of the mankind. Industrial revolution of 19th
century led to environmental disaster. The whole world is now more afraid of
pollution rather than nuclear blast. Technological advancement has brought
revolutionary changes in life style and national economy with overwhelming
power over nature. The protection of environment has become a major issue
around the global for the well being of the people and economic development.
1.2 The
present environmental condition of Bangladesh is not at all equilibrium. Severe
air, water and noise pollution are threatening human health, ecosystems and
economic growth of Bangladesh. Air pollution caused due to increasing
population, burning fossil fuels, industrialization and associated motorization.
The water pollution caused due to industrialization. The under ground water of
Bangladesh has been polluted due to arsenic. The inhabitants of major cities of
Bangladesh are also exposed to high level of noise pollution. Environmental
degradation of Bangladesh is also caused due to poverty, over-population and
lack of awareness on the subject. It is manifested by deforestation,
destruction of wetlands, soil erosion and natural calamities. Few steps have
been taken by the government to improve the environmental degradation and
pollution control. This paper analyzes the different types of environmental
pollution and associated health hazard in Bangladesh. It also discusses the
different governmental steps as well as some suggested steps to improve the
pollution control.
2. DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
2.1 Air Pollution.
Air pollution is a serious environmental health hazard affecting
the populations of Bangladesh. Air pollution of Bangladesh is caused due to
increasing population and associated motorization. Indoor air pollution is
mainly associated with the use of biomass fuels during cooking with poor
ventilation. Industrial emissions and automobiles are the principle sources of
outdoor air pollution. The national ambient air quality standards of Bangladesh
and amount of pollutants in the air of Dhaka city is shown below:
Table – 1: Bangladesh National Ambient Air Quality Standards
*Sensitive areas include national monuments, health
resorts, hospitals, archeological spots, and educational institutions.Source: Department of
Environment (DOE), 1997.
Table – 2A: Pollutants in the Air of Dhaka City
Table – 2B: Pollutants in the Air of Dhaka City
2.2 Main Sources of Air Pollution.
2.2a. Burning of Fossil Fuel.
Air pollution mainly occurs due to burning of fossil fuels like
coal, petroleum etc and associated black smoke. Over 99% of the brick kilns use
fossil fuel but don’t comply with the “Brick Kiln Ordinance” and pollute
enormous air.
2.2b. Industrial Discharge.
Industries cause air pollution through smoke emission. Agro
based industries like sugar, pulp, paper, tanneries and value added industries
like textile, garments, pharmaceutics, oil refineries, fertilizer and chemical
industries are the major contributors for air pollution. The air pollution
percentage of most five industrial sectors of Bangladesh in the year 2001 is
shown below:
Table-3: Air Pollution Percentage of most Five Industrial
Sectors of Bangladesh in the Year 2001
Source: Research Work by Islam Faisal on “ Industrial Pollution
in Bangladesh” in the year 2002.
2.2c. Emission from Vehicles.
One of the major sources of air pollution in urban areas of
Bangladesh is due to the unburned fuel from two stroke engine vehicles. Dhaka
has been rated as one of the most polluted cities of the world. Bangladesh
Atomic Energy Commission reports that automobiles in Dhaka emit 100 kg lead,
3.5 tons SPM, 1.5 tons SO2, 14 tons HC and 60 tons CO in every day. The
contribution of air pollution by different types of vehicle and the amount of
pollutants emitted from vehicles in Dhaka city is as follows:
Table-4: Contribution of Air Pollution by Vehicle Type
Source: Country Profile on Environment of Bangladesh by Japan
International Cooperation Agency in the Year 1999.
2.3 Water Pollution.
Water pollution creates serious health hazard for Bangladesh.
The dumping of municipal wastes, hospital wastes and toxic environmental
discharges from mostly industries pollute both surface and ground water
sources. The most dangerous threat emanating from environmental degradation is
the arsenic contamination of ground water.
2.4 Main Sources of Water Pollution.
2.4a. Industrial Waste and Effluent.
The main industrial areas of Bangladesh are at Dhaka,
Chittagong, Khulna, and Bogra districts. The mostly contributing industries for
water pollution are pulp and paper, pharmaceuticals, metal processing, food
industry, fertilizer, pesticides, dyeing and painting, textile, tannery etc.
More than 200 rivers of Bangladesh directly or indirectly receive a large
quantity of untreated industrial wastes and effluent. Everyday approximately
700 tanneries of Dhaka city are discharging about 16,000 cubic meters of toxic
wastes. The Department of Environment (DOE) has listed 1,176 factories that
cause pollution throughout the country. Water pollution percentage of most five
industrial sectors of Bangladesh in the year 2001 is shown below:
Table-5: Water Pollution Percentage of most Five Industrial
Sectors of Bangladesh in the Year 2001
Source: Research Work by Islam Faisal on “ Industrial Pollution
in Bangladesh” in the year 2002.
2.4b. Solid Waste and Sewage Disposal.
The indiscriminate discharge of solid waste, domestic and
hospital sewage are the major 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 disposed of in low lying areas or into river water. These
solid wastes are associated with the problems of littering on roads, spilling
around the bins, clogging of drains, indiscriminate dumping on vacant plots and
cause serious environmental pollution. More than 500 hospitals and clinics of
Dhaka city generate and release hazardous and toxic wastes without any
treatment. The generated solid waste of six famous hospitals / clinics of Dhaka
city is shown below:
Table-6: Solid Waste Generation from Six Famous
Hospitals/Clinics of Dhaka City
Source: M Shehab Ullah on “A study of hospital waste management
in Dhaka city” in the year 1999.
2.4c. Inadequate Sanitary Facilities.
Inadequate sanitation facilities pose a serious environmental
threat in Bangladesh. Dhaka Water and Sewerage Authority (DWASA) can serve only
for 15 to 20% of city population. In absence of the sanitation and
infrastructural services, 40% having septic tank and soak pit, 15% using pit
latrines and 30% using open latrines. The sewage is mostly released into
low-lying areas and river water in untreated manner causing great environmental
hazards.
2.4d. Arsenic Contamination of Ground Water.
Arsenic in ground water poses a serious environmental hazard for
Bangladesh. About ninety-seven percentages (97%) 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 (52%) of the studied
population drink well-water containing >50ug/L of arsenic and more than
two-thirds (70%) drink well-water containing >10ug/L of arsenic. The
acceptable level of arsenic in drinking water is 0.05 mg/L for Bangladesh but
some places it is found more than 70 times higher than that standard. About 80
million people are at a risk of arsenic contamination. The arsenic level of
ground water over 0.05 mg/L surveyed in 1998 by the British Geological Survey
team is as follows.
Table-7: Percentage of Ground Waters Surveyed in 1998by the
British Geological Survey Team with Arsenic Levels over the Limit
Source: Allan H Smith, Elena O Lingas & Mahfuzar Rahman on
“Contamination of drinking-water by arsenic in Bangladesh: a public health
emergency” in 1998.
2.5 Noise Pollution.
The noise pollution is also a major health hazard 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. According to
the Department of Environment (DOE), 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 main sources
of noise pollution are industries, motorized vehicles, construction works and
indiscriminate use of loudspeaker. At present noise level in Dhaka city are
estimated ranging from 60 to 100 decibel. If present situation continues then
by the year 2017, 50% people of Dhaka city will loss 30 decibel of hearing
power. The daily variation of noise level near the road at some of the key
locations of Dhaka city is shown below:
Table – 8A: Pollutants in the Air of Dhaka City.
Source: Nazmul Chowdhury research on noise pollution in Dhaka
city on Feb 2002.
Table – 8B: Pollutants in the Air of Dhaka City.
Source: Nazmul Chowdhury research on noise pollution in Dhaka
city on Feb 2002.
3. EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
3.1 Severe
environmental pollution is threatening human health and economic growth of
Bangladesh. Air pollution mostly affects the urban children. Indoor air
pollution is a greater threat to health than outdoor air pollution. Bangladesh
could avoid 10,000 deaths and save between 200 and 500 million dollars a year
if indoor air pollution in four major cities can be reduced to acceptable
limits.
3.2 Immediate
effect of smoke inhalation causes headache, vertigo, burning sensation of the
eyes, sneezing, nausea, tiredness, cough etc. It’s long term effect may cause
asthma and bronchitis. Lead affects the circulatory, nervous and reproductive
systems as well as affects kidney and liver including liver cancer or
cirrhosis. Carbon monoxide hampers the growth and mental development of an
expected baby. Nitrogen oxides cause bronchitis and pneumonia.
3.3 Industrial
emissions cause different waterborne disease and damage to health. Arsenic
poisoning is slow and cumulative. It causes melanosis, kurtosis and
conjunctivitis. Subsequently respiratory problem, gangrene, skin, kidney and
lung cancer would arise. The Arsenic effect not only causes serious health
hazards but also creates a widespread social problem. The inadequate sanitation
facilities also pose a serious health threat in Bangladesh.
3.4 Noise
pollution causes mental and physical illness among the people. Sound pollution
causes deafness to heart attack. Any sort of noise pollution seriously affects
expecting mothers. It also causes high blood pressure, tachycardia, headache,
indigestion, and peptic ulcer.
3.5 Many
people died every year in many diseases due to environmental pollution. The
death rate in the year 1996 mainly due to environmental pollution is as
follows.
Table-9: The death rate in the year 1996 due to environmental
pollution
Source: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), Statistical
Yearbook of Bangladesh 2001, Ministry of Planning, Dhaka 2002.
4. GOVERNMENTAL STEPS FOR POLLUTION CONTROL IN BANGLADESH
4.1 The
‘Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF)’ of Bangladesh is primarily
responsible for environmental protection. It was created in 1989. The MOEF has
taken some steps to control the environmental pollution of Bangladesh.
4.2a. National Environmental Management
Action Plan (NEMAP).
The government has taken a project named NEMAP to integrate
environment with the development in a policy framework. It provides a guideline
for promoting effective management of resources, raising awareness among the
people and improvement of environmental degradation.
4.2b. Environmental Acts, Rules and Laws.
The government of Bangladesh has modified environmental acts,
rules and laws to improve environmental condition. Environment court has
already been established to take prompt legal action against environmental
pollution. The DOE has been empowered to punish the offenders of environmental
rules.
4.2c. Control of Air Pollution.
Recently the DOE has taken some measures to carry out surveys on
identification and control of polluting industries, protecting habitats,
examining the use of compressed natural gas in industries, setting
environmental standards and controlling river and automobile pollution on
environmental management. It also conducts vehicular emission measurements at
Dhaka city.
4.2d. Banning of Polyethylene Bags.
Most of the sewage lines of Dhaka city have been blocked by
indiscriminate dumping of polyethylene bags over the years. As such, the
government has banned the production, marketing and use of polyethylene bags up
to 20 microns thick or less from 01 March 2002.
4.2e. Urban Transport Project.
A Urban Transport Project has been launched by the Government to
improve traffic system, envisage good bus services, improve road networks by
constructing over-bridges, fly-overs, underpasses and envisages a positive role
for non-motorized transport.
4.2f. Embargo on Import of Items.
The government has banned the import of leaded petrol, high
sulfur diesel and high sulfur coal. The government has also encouraged to use
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to the automobiles. Bangladesh Road Transport
Authority (BRTA) has restricted the registration on two stroke three wheelers.
4.2g. Control of Arsenic Pollution.
The Government has taken four Strategies to mitigate the arsenic
problem. These are as follows:
(1). Immediate detection of the arsenic effected patients and
ensure their proper treatment.
(2). Identify the arsenic contaminated tube wells, labeled them
with red colour for danger ones and green with safe ones.
(3). Detect the reasons for arsenic contamination in soil water
and find out the sources of safe drinking water.
(4). Conduct health education campaigns and grow awareness among
the people.
4.2h. Knowledge Enrichment Programme.
Environmental education program has been incorporated in primary
and higher education. Many universities have introduced various curriculum and
projects on environmental issue. Government organizations as well as NGOs
present meetings and seminars to arise public awareness on the environmental
issue.
4.2j. Rural Sanitation Programme.
The Bangladesh Government has taken a rural sanitation programme
from October 2003 to implement the facilitation, construction and installation
of twin pit latrine. It improves rural sanitation coverage and reduces
infectious diseases in rural areas.
5. AIR POLLUTION IN MEGA-CITIES
5.1 Environment
problems differ from country to country. Cities in the South East Asia such as
Delhi, Bangkok and Manila suffer from high levels of lead, particulate matter,
and oxides of sulfur. Central and South American cities such as Mexico City and
Santiago experience frequent ozone problems. A comparison of air pollution in
mega cities of the world is as follows:
Fig 1. Comparison of Air Pollution in World Mega cities
6.SUGGESTED STEPS FOR POLLUTION CONTROL
6.1 The
government has taken some steps to improve the pollution control of Bangladesh.
But the steps are not adequate. As such, few more steps may also be taken to
improve the environmental degradation:
6.2 Use of Environmental Technologies and Methods.
Environmental technologies and methods such as Geographic
Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing and environmental impact assessment
might be used for integrated policy formulation, decision-making, evaluation
and monitoring of environment.
6.3 Development of Environmental Database.
A comprehensive environmental database may be made and the
environmental planners might have the access for environmental up-gradation,
planning and management The database is to be updated regularly.
6.4 Environmental Education and Awareness.
Formal and informal methods of education might be adopted
through local media, seminars, celebrations, workshops, walks and student
competitions to aware the people regarding the process of environmental
degradation.
6.5 Industrial and Solid Waste Management.
The government might take appropriate measures to monitor
emission limits and Market Based Incentives (MBI) for reducing pollution
control. The industries might be given both technical and financial support for
introducing mitigation measures, promoting green technologies, using less
pollution technologies and recycling the waste.
6.6 Enforcement of Rules and Regulation.
Environmental Conservation Rules of 1997, traffic rules and
other relevant environmental laws might be enforced further to punish the
violation of the emission limits.
6.7 Urban Transport Management.
Government must strengthen vehicle emission standards, complete
the emission inventory and conduct an investigation on the emission control
measures. Auto-rickshaw must be restricted in Dhaka city. Government must
replace old vehicles, two-stroke engine vehicles, improve traffic conditions
and promote an equivalent and efficient alternative public transportation
services to improve urban transport management.
6.8 Reduce Sulfur in Diesel.
Government must take necessary steps to remove sulfur content
from diesel through hydro-desulphurization (HDS) process. The government must
also enforce the vehicle manufacturers to install catalytic converters in every
vehicle to reduce the vehicular emissions.
7. CONCLUSION
7.1 Environmental
issues have become a major concerns due to impact on public health and
development of Bangladesh. Air and water pollution, groundwater contamination,
nuisance from solid wastes and noise pollution are the main environmental
pollutions of Bangladesh. Dhaka City is one of the most polluted cities in the
world. Environmental problems occur mainly due to population growth,
urbanization, industrialization, rapid rise in transportation, inadequate and improper
traffic management, poor sanitation systems and inefficient solid waste
management.
7.2 Air
pollution from transportation systems in urban areas mainly occurs due to smoke
emission from automobiles, burning of fossil fuel, use of low lead gasoline,
high sulfur in diesel, increasing number of two stroke engine and overall poor
traffic management. Industries cause air and water pollution through smoke
emission, inadequate solid waste management and dumping of untreated effluent
to lakes, rivers and ground water. The arsenic pollution of groundwater has
become a major disaster for Bangladesh. The noise pollution is a major health
hazards in the country. It is a serious but neglected issue throughout
Bangladesh. Government as well as other organizations must take adequate steps
to reduce the environmental pollution of Bangladesh.
8. REFERENCES
1. Md Mahbubur Rahman, “Environmental Pollution in Dhaka City
and It’s Effects on Public Health”, 2003.
2. KM Nurul Huda, “Air Quantity Management Policy and Vehicle
Emission Control”, 1998.
3. Khan Morshed Ali, “Toxic Trap - Thousands Exposed to Stagnant
Tannery Waste”, The Daily Star, 16 July 2002.
4. Islam Faisal, “Industrial Pollution in Bangladesh”, The World
Bank Dhaka office, 2001.
5. Tariq Bin Yousuf, “Solid Waste and Sewerage Disposal of
Dhaka”, 1998.
6. Nazmul Chowdhury, “Noise pollution in Dhaka city”, 2002.
7. Allan H Smith, Elena O Lingas & Mahfuzar Rahman on
“Contamination of drinking-water by arsenic in Bangladesh: a public health
emergency”, 1998.
8. A survey report by British Geological Team on “Percentage of
Ground Waters with Arsenic Levels over the Limit”, Bangladesh, 1998.
9. A survey report by British Geological Team on “Sustainable
Development Networking Project”, Bangladesh, 1999. 10. Kafiluddin and Rawshan
Ara Begum, “Noise Pollution Epidemic for Dhaka City”, The Daily Prothom Alo, 13
June 1999.
11. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), Statistical Yearbook
of Bangladesh 2001, Ministry of Planning, Dhaka 2002.
12. KM Nurul Huda, “Air Quantity Management Policy and Vehicle
Emission Control”, 1998.
13. Khan Morshed Ali, “Toxic Trap - Thousands Exposed to
Stagnant Tannery Waste”, The Daily Star, 16 July 2002.
14. M Shehab Ullah, “A study of hospital waste management in
Dhaka city”, 1999.
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