High-level carcinogenic chemical found in Buriganga water

A high concentration of carcinogenic phenol and other poisonous chemical and gases has been found at various points in the water of Buriganga River, according to a new research.

The findings were shared at a workshop on Thursday as part of ‘Promoting Democratic Governance and Collective Advocacy for Environmental Protection in Dhaka city’ project. Waterkeepers Bangladesh Consortium is implementing the project funded by the USAIN, UKAID and Counterpart International. 

Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) of Stamford University and the Department of Geography and Environment of Jahangirnagar University jointly conducted the research.

Carcinogenic chemical phenol, used mainly in dying factories, was 0.41 milligram per litre at Hamayetpur point of the river, 205 times higher than the permissible level of 0.002mg, according to an average data collected during the pre and monsoon period.

At the same point, researchers found 20mg ammonia per litre, four times higher than the recommended level. Ammonia exposure causes skin cancer, headache, vomiting tendency and if a pregnant woman is exposed to this gas, her child could lose sight.

River water can contain 0.01mg oil and grease per litre according to the standard set by the Department of Environment but 4.2mg was found at the Hazaribagh point. 

The presence of oil and grease makes it difficult for sunlight to enter the water, making it hard for phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish and other species survive.

Poisonous gas sulphide was found 6.5mg per litre at Shyampur point of Buriganga. Bangladesh did not set standard for sulphide in river water but scientist said that it should be within 1mg per litre.

Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, the dean of Faculty of Science and Chairman of the Department of Environmental Science of Stamford University, presented the paper at the workshop.

He said the ongoing project had a tenure of 20 years. 

“The data reflect the first year’s situation of 2021. Our next task will be to find out the sources of these pollutants,” Kamruzzaman said.

“Amonnia has been found in Hemayetpur, which means there are some factories that use this chemical. Oil and grease come from water vessels. The high concentration found at Hazaribagh which indicate previous tannery factories. Oil and grease can spoil the whole river ecosystem,” he said.

Sound Pollution

Ahsan Manzil, Parliament Area and Shahbagh are classified as ‘silent areas’ by DoE, where the maximum permissible level is 45 decibels (dB). The sound level exceeded the permissible level almost every time (99.5 per cent) tests were run in April, May, June and July.

Dhanmondi 32 and Gulshan-2 are considered residential areas and the maximum permissible level is 50 dB. However, 98.31 per cent times, researchers found that the level shot past 50 dB.

Agargaon, Mirpur-10 and Abdullahpur-Uttara are mixed areas where 60 dB is the maximum level. But 86.4 per cent times, researchers found that the level in these areas exceeded the permissible level.

Commercial area Motijheel has a permissible level 70 dB but researchers found the level exceeded 65.43 per cent times during tests. Meanwhile, industrial area Tejgaon exceeded the permissible level of 75 dB for 18.45 per cent times during the tests.