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A shipbreaking yard owned by the KSRM Group is scrapping an LNG tanker in Chattogram’s Sitakunda area, and there are allegations that the yard is inadvertently contaminating the surrounding environment with perlite – a substance toxic to the human body.
Exposure to perlite through contaminated water and air results in several health complications. Due to the breaking up of the LNG tanker, this substance is spreading from the shipyard located at Sitakunda upazila’s Baro Aulia area.
Locals have expressed their serious concerns over the issue, while the Department of Environment has promised to conduct an on-site inspection.
When approached for comments, Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shahadat Hossain said he has no clue about the matter, but assured of action after an investigation reveals any misconduct.
Scrap ships carrying LNG (liquefied natural gas) are broken apart at that yard without any regard for the environment or the health of local people. The perlite powder from inside the ship is dumped after ship breaking which is causing health risks among local residents.
Recently, a scrap ship was brought to this KSRM shipyard. The ship had been used to transport LNG to several countries. Ships such as these are equipped with double-walled tanks with the space between the walls filled with expanded perlite as an insulation material.
The perlite keeps the LNG in the tank safe. Health experts say exposure to perlite causes several health complications, including lung diseases and even lung cancer. But the yard authority does not care.
The KSRM shipyard area became shrouded in an unnatural fog since Thursday afternoon, causing the locals to panic. Later they learned that fog was caused by the scrapping of the LNG tanker.
“Fishing season is on now,” a local person on condition of anonymity told The Business Post, adding, “The powder (perlite) will get onto the fish’s skin and inside its stomach. Anyone who eats those fish will be in trouble.”
On the issue, UNO Shahadat Hossain said, “We have conducted a drive after receiving a tip off about perlite being dumped openly.
“We are taking a strict stance on this matter. We do not have any clue about the events going on at the KSRM shipyard, but we will investigate the matter further.”
Sitakunda Upazila Health & Family Planning Officer (UH & FPO) Dr Md Nur Uddin Rashed said, “If perlite enters the human body, there is a risk of cancer along with diarrhoea. Therefore, the protection of the environment and surrounding region should be taken into consideration.”
Ferdous Hasan, deputy director of the Department of Environment in Chattogram, said, “We came to know about the matter on Thursday afternoon. The officials concerned have been asked to inspect the yard and prepare a report.”
A recent study published in a medical and scientific journal based in the Netherlands shows that due to the activities of shipbreaking yards and adjacent industries, health risks are rising among the residents in the coastal areas.
