Husking mills burn polythene, tyres spoiling environment, public health

PABNA, Apr 04: Instead of any types of husk, abandoned polythene, old tyres and plastic-rubber waste are being burned in public to boil paddy in different areas of Ishwardi upazila of Pabna district, creating various environmental and health hazards.

On the one hand, local agricultural landscape is also exposed to severe risks for this phenomenon.

On the spot, it was seen in Joynagar, Tentultala and Pakuria areas of Dashuria union of the upazila, that jhut (garment rags), plastic shoes-sandals and tyres from various factories are being used as fuel in large stoves of husking mills and chatals located in residential areas and along the roads.

As a result of burning these wastes, the surrounding area is being covered in thick black smoke.

Vegetables and fruits are being ruined by the ash flying from the boilers. Vehicles and pedestrians moving on the roads are also suffering greatly due to the toxic smoke.

Chatal owners claim that the cost of boiling paddy using rice husk is too high. To reduce the cost, they are collecting these wastes thrown away from the EPZ and Rooppur projects at cheap prices and using those as fuel.

Local resident Anwarul Islam said that it has become nearly impossible to live in the house due to the strong stench of burning polythene and rubber. Despite repeated complaints to the chatal owners, the problem has been kept fully unaddressed.

National medalist farmer Siddiqur Rahman Moyez told the FE that the smoke and ash from the chatal are seriously affecting the vegetable cultivation in the area.

Farmer Iqbal Hossain from the same area said that the ash accumulation in various crops including cucumber, corn, mustard, coriander and cauliflower has significantly reduced the yield. In addition, the furniture and bedding of the houses are also getting dirty with ash.

Chatal owner Md. Abdul Khalek of Pakuria village frankly admitted that since the price of rice husk is high, they are using the waste available at low prices. However, Manzur Rahman, owner of Sampad Traders in Joynagar, said that except for a few, almost everyone is now burning these harmful wastes instead of rice husks.

Md. Jahangir Hossain, assistant professor of the chemistry department at Pabna Government Edward College told The Financial Express, ``Burning tyresand polythene is very harmful to the environment and human body. When these two materials are burned, there fall long-term negative impacts on air, soil and health."

The smoke from burning polyethylene and tyres is highly toxic, releasing cancer-causing dioxins, furans, and heavy metals like lead and mercury. It can cause respiratory problems, headaches, dizziness, chronic bronchitis, and serious neurological problems. In addition, this smoke pollutes the environment, air, and soil, posing an extreme risk to human health.

He added, "Burning tyres releases heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury, which accumulate in the lungs and other organs and cause long-term health problems. Burning tyres and polythene pollutes air, water, and soil. Tyres are a complex source of rubber, petroleum, and other chemicals, which produce toxic particles when burned. The smoke emitting from burning polythene enters the body with inhalation and aggravates asthma or respiratory problems.

Therefore, it is very important to discard burned tyresor polythene and ensure their proper recycling or safe disposal to protect the environment and public health."

Bangladesh Environment Movement (BAPA) Iswardi Upazila General Secretary Shahid Mahmud said that due to the inaction of

the administration, the environment is being polluted regularly in this way. The smoke from burning these wastes is very harmful to the human body.

In this regard, Pabna Environment Department Assistant Director Md. Abdul Gafur said that a drive will be launched soon against those who are polluting the environment by burning polythene and tires.

Ishwardi Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Md. Arifur

Rahman said that legal action will be taken after on-site inspection of the huts where wastes are being burnt and environmental pollution is being caused.

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