THE world is changing fast. Overall environment, beaches and forests are severely getting affected by pollution thanks to the growing population of the world. In the last 50 years, people have generated 80,000 types of chemicals. Of them, there are organic chemical pollutants known as 'dirty dozen', which is very harmful to human bodies. These pollutants constantly enter bodies through food and drink and cripple different limbs.
Environmentalists say the world environment and its population are now at stake due to the adverse impacts of these chemicals. Bangladesh
In 1967, American Environmental Protection Agency banned 12 persistent organic pollutants (POPs) branded as 'dirty dozen'. Later, this ban got connected with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Of the 12 pollutants, nine are insecticides, such as, Dieldrin, Aldrin, Chlorden, DDT, Endrin, Heptachlor, Mirex, Toxaphane and Hexachloro Benzene. One is Polychlorinated Bi-phenyl, an industrial chemical. And, the remaining two pollutants are Dioxin and Furans created from incomplete burning.
The specific harmful characteristic of POPs insecticides (Aldrin, Dieldrin, AEndrin etc.) is they have a long life. And from the sources, these elements can spread from one place to another and even from one country to another through air, water or other means. As a result, these can be found in places where they are not produced.
In winter countries, these elements are found in higher quintiles, as they are not dissolved in water. But, they are dissolved in fat or muscles of humans and other animals. So, they get deposited in fat of bodies and increase gradually. Due to long-term presence of these elements, people may suffer from thyroid or hormone-related problems, nerve weakness, birth defects, tumour, cancer and loss of anti-body.
Due to the attack of POPs chemicals, the normal growth of embryo is hindered, babies are born underweight and death rate gets higher. Besides, these chemicals cause infertility, bronchial problems and itching.
Attack by Dioxin and Furans causes Clorance disease. The symptoms of this disease are vomiting tendency, losing eyesight, short of hearing, respiratory problems, weight loss, headache, change in normal functions of liver, pancreas and kidney etc.
Rivers and coastal areas of Bangladesh
Sources at Environment Department say the pollution level of the Meghna, Dakatia, Karnaphuli, and Kushiara is very high. Besides, a study on eight points of the Karnaphuli shows there exists a high level of chemicals in the river due to dumping of waste from TSP Fertiliser Factory and Karnaphuli Paper Mill. The Bay of Bengal is also being polluted for that.
In Chittagong
A survey by Environment and Social Development Organisation during 1995-1999 showed the pollution level of three rivers -- the Turag, the Bangsi and the Buriganga -- is very high. Besides, reliable sources say rivers like the Shitalakhya, the Pashur, the Rupsha and the Surma are being polluted greatly by chemicals coming from cement, soap, dyeing and leather factories, and paper mills.
In Bangladesh Bangladesh Philippines , Indonesia , Thailand , Myanmar , India and Pakistan
In a convention in the Swedish capital of Stockholm
Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO), an NGO, recently organised a workshop on POPs. At the workshop, ESDO director Dr Hossain Shahriar said, "These elements can stay in environment for a long time. Some POPs survive on earth for more than 10 years."
About the present situation in Bangladesh village of Narayanganj
Though as a member of the United Nations, Bangladesh
Due to the attack of POPs chemicals, the normal growth of embryo is hindered, babies are born underweight and death rate gets higher. Besides, these chemicals cause infertility, bronchial problems and itching.
Attack by Dioxin and Furans causes Clorance disease. The symptoms of this disease are vomiting tendency, losing eyesight, short of hearing, respiratory problems, weight loss, headache, change in normal functions of liver, pancreas and kidney etc.
Rivers and coastal areas of Bangladesh are being dangerously polluted by these types of organic chemicals. According to a survey conducted in 1999 by Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, 3.109 milligram of PCB have been found in the country's river waters.
Sources at Environment Department say the pollution level of the Meghna, Dakatia, Karnaphuli, and Kushiara is very high. Besides, a study on eight points of the Karnaphuli shows there exists a high level of chemicals in the river due to dumping of waste from TSP Fertiliser Factory and Karnaphuli Paper Mill. The Bay of Bengal is also being polluted for that.
In Chittagong, over 5,000 villagers and labourers have been affected by poisonous gas reaction and secretion of PCB during shipbreaking and repair at Sitakunda Shipbreaking Yard.
A survey by Environment and Social Development Organisation during 1995-1999 showed the pollution level of three rivers -- the Turag, the Bangsi and the Buriganga -- is very high. Besides, reliable sources say rivers like the Shitalakhya, the Pashur, the Rupsha and the Surma are being polluted greatly by chemicals coming from cement, soap, dyeing and leather factories, and paper mills.
In Bangladesh, incomplete burning is the main source of Dioxin and Furans, two of the organic pollutants. Burning of wastes, cooking in closed rooms or use of low quality cookers, chemical factories, two-stroke engines, liquid waste of tanneries and chemicals create these elements. Electric transformer, electric fan, capacitor and oil used in switch gear are the main sources of synthetic chemicals -- PCB. Besides, the source of other nine POPs insecticides is the places where imported organic chemical pollutants are stored. POPs insecticides are not produced in Bangladesh. They are imported from countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, India and Pakistan.
In a convention in the Swedish capital of Stockholm on May 22, 2001, it was decided that all the POPs in the world would be destroyed. It is stated in clause 7 that each country should formulate a national implementation plan to eradicate these organic chemical pollutants known as POPs for protecting public health and environment.
Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO), an NGO, recently organised a workshop on POPs. At the workshop, ESDO director Dr Hossain Shahriar said, "These elements can stay in environment for a long time. Some POPs survive on earth for more than 10 years."
About the present situation in Bangladesh regarding POPs, he said, "Though DDT powder has been banned it is marketed in different names. Many people call it white powder. In Kuakata, high level of DDT powder is used on dry fish. Then again the dye used in textile sector has Persistent Toxic Substance (PTS), which is not only harmful to clothes, but also to health. In tanneries, Aldrin is used in leather processing. We have seen in a village of Narayanganj farmers are using POPs insecticide Dieldrin to make tomatoes ripe. The same is happening in Chapainawabganj."
Though as a member of the United Nations, Bangladesh banned the 'dirty dozen' in 1997, the existence of these elements is still here to a great extent. So, it has become essential for the government to take effective measures to protect public health and environment from these long-term organic chemicals. And to address the issue, proper enforcement of laws and public awareness are needed.
Source: The Financial Express. By Senjuti Barua. 16 November 2007
