Thousands of residents at Hazaribagh in the city are facing severe sufferings due to unhygienic environment because of hundreds of toxic chemical shops there.
The chemicals, imported from Germany, Spain, Hong Kong, Italy, China, Argentina and Brazil, are used for processing of rawhides, this correspondent was informed while visiting the area yesterday.
There are about 800 chemical shops to meet the demand of chemical of around 194 tanneries in the area.
Many residents have reportedly been affected with chemical related diseases, including asthma.
Not only that the chemicals are also polluting water of the Buriganga River as well as air.
When contacted, Professor Dr ABM Abdullah, Dean of the Medicine Faculty of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) said that skin diseases, liver problem and cancer might be reasoned from the regular use of toxic chemicals.
Yusuf Ali, an employee of Bengal Tannery, who uses chemical with rawhides, told this reporter that he was suffering from skin diseases because of the toxic chemical. Another employee Babu of the industry also echoed the same.
Mohammad Razzak, who resides in Hazaribagh Park area, said he is used to distribute chemicals to tanneries from different shops. “I have been affected with skin diseases due to this chemical business,” he said.
-With The New Nation input
