*Corresponding Author ([email protected])
Qualitative Assessment of Environmental and Health Aspects of Relocated Tannery Industries at Hemayetpur, Bangladesh
Alisha Jahan Meghna, Mohammad Majibur Rahman, Mashura Shammi, Md. Mostafizur Rahman*
Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh
(Received: 20 March 2020, Revised: 18 May 2020, Accepted: 21 May 2020, Online: 30 June 2020)
Abstract
The tannery industries have been identified as one of the main sources of environmental pollution in peripheral Dhaka City. This study was carried out to identify the potential threats of relocated tannery industries at Hemayetpur, Savar, on human health and environment. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted to identify the health and environmental problems perceived by the workers and residents surrounding the tannery cluster. A total of 100 respondents were selected randomly for the interview to know their perceptions regarding the threats of tannery pollution. The data collection was performed concerning three key points: social wellbeing, environmental issues, and occupational health and safety status. The result demonstrates gross social discrepancies, environmental degradation, and poor occupational safety measures in the newly settled industrial site. In the point of social wellbeing, the people`s perceptions of the present conditions are negative, especially about child labour, gender inequality, and a lack of employment contract.
Although a central effluent treatment plant (CETP) is in operation, its performance is under question, the physical appearance of the adjacent river water says all about the scenario, the residents’ response also supports the bad claim. Since the relocation of the tannery at Hemayetpur, untreated or incomplete treated wastewater is being discharged into the Dhaleshwari River. The relocation task has already emerged as a problem, not only for the environment but also for the very survival of human life. The fish production has been declined due to an excessive pollution load in the river. The workers are suffering from various health complications, such as skin disease, dizziness, and asthma. The findings of this study will help to design a comprehensive assessment of the social and environmental impacts of Hemayetpur tannery sites and commissioning a sustainable and strategic pollution control plan.
Keywords: Leather industry, Chromium, Solid wastes, Occupational health, Liquid waste.
Introduction
The tannery industries, located in Hemayetpur, Savar, do not have any plant for the bulk treatment for municipal or industrial solid wastes. However, the whole industrial area has only a single Water Treatment Plant, which is not in operation for an extended period. The consequence is that the industrial liquid wastes are being dumped into the Dhaleshwari River without proper or even no treatment. Thus, the polluted water ultimately affects the aquatic organisms as well as the health of mass people through the food chain.
In recent years, there has been a large paradigm shift of leather industries from industrialised to developing countries, like Bangladesh and India, pushing them to conform with the stringent regulations of environmental sustainability (Gain et al., 2002). The leather tanning process is composed of several batch stages, mostly associated with the consumption of large quantities of freshwater, thereby generating huge amounts of liquid and solid wastes (Azom et al., 2012).
Although tanning can be performed in several different ways, most of the tanning activities use the chromium salt as the principal tanning agent (Camargo et al., 2003); (Gang et al., 2005). The industrial wastewaters are characterised by the presence of the significant amount of organic load and remarkably high concentrations of inorganic species, such as chromium, chloride, ammonia, sulfide, and sulfate(Camargo et al., 2003); (Gang et al., 2005). The high level of pollutant load in wastewater poses a challenge to the future sustainability of leather industry with a growing number of non-tariff barriers, including the environmental and economic constraints that emanate from the major export markets (Bhuiyan et al., 2010). One hundred sixty-one tanneries in Bangladesh produce some 180 million square feet of hides and skins per year, but many of these industries do not have adequate effluent treatment facilities (Tinni et al., 2014; Textile Today, 2018). The daily estimated cumulative tannery discharge is about 20,000 m3, along with 232 tones of solid wastes (Tinni et al., 2014). Studies on environmental impacts related to the leather industry have not been carried out yet to address the leather production supply chain and concomitant pollution.
In the 1970s, the tannery industries were started their journey as a large-scale industry in Bangladesh. Now, the government of Bangladesh considers the ‘leather goods and footwear’ as one of the leading industrial sectors, which adds a significant amount of revenues to the GDP.
Bangladesh leather industry makes leather-based products, like garments, shoes, belts, bags, jackets, suitcases, wallets, and other very essential fancy items (Juel et al., 2016). These products are being sold in the domestic as well as in the foreign markets (Juel et al., 2016). Leather footwear is the fastest-growing segment of the leather industry. Bangladesh meets the demand for about 10%
of the world’s total leather market (Textile Today, 2018). Unfortunately, in Bangladesh, the most pollution-causing industrial belt is the tannery industry and there are also the compliance issues that lead to decline the business (Khan, 2017; The Dhaka Tribune, 2018). A few years back, the tannery industries have been relocated from Hazaribagh to Hemayetpur, Savar, with a vision to relieve city dwellers’ from the noxious exposure of leather wastes.
Though we do not have any special focus on the pollution discharged by the tannery industries, we have a handful number of laws and policies that regulate the state of the environment in Bangladesh.
The government has adopted the environmental policy in 1992, where almost all the sections of environmental issues have been discussed, and the responsibilities have been distributed rightly to appropriate administrative bodies. The policy addresses the measures that should be taken to prevent and reduce pollution from industrial emission. It also has the provision to execute an EIA before setting up an industry irrespective of its ownership, public or private (Khatun and Huq, 1994). Recognising the relationship between health and environment, the policy clearly states that the right to health should not be infringed while taking any development program (Islam et al., 2017). The jurisdiction of Environmental Policy is also applicable to the tannery industry.
Provisions were also formulated regarding the application of Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) before establishing an industrial unit or project. A separate authority, i.e., the Department of
Environment (DoE) was established to carry out the purpose of this act. All these laws can regulate environmental pollution and health hazards caused by the tannery industry. The main objective of this study was to identify the potential impacts of the leather industry to social wellbeing, human health, and environmental impact through the perception of tannery workers and residents.
Methodology
The study was carried out, in the relocated tannery industrial site at Hemayetpur, to know the potential impact of tannery effluent on the surrounding area, the environmental and human implications related to waste discharge. The study area was chosen deliberately to identify the environmental and health conditions of the tannery workers and residents. A total of 100 respondents were selected randomly upon their prior consent to take part in the survey for an open interview to know their perception regarding the tannery pollution in October 2019. Figure 1 shows the work plan. The methodology used for the present study is shown in the flowchart:
Selecting the study area
Collecting primary data
Digitalising the collected data
Analysing and comparing the data pool
Figure 1: The layout of the study plan.
Results and Discussion
The leather tanning industries have been identified as one of the main causes of environmental pollution around the capital city, Dhaka, home of more than 21 million people (Macrotrends, 2020).
These tanneries, during the processing of raw hides and skins, produce a huge amount of liquid wastes per day. The tanning industries have been relocated to Hemayetpur, some 20 km from the capital city, to reduce the pollution burden of city people. But, yet, there is no viable facility where the effluents could have been treated before exposing them into the environment. These untreated wastes are being disposed into the nearby river, low-lands, and municipal sewers causing serious pollution to water, land, and air. The ultimate consequence of this dumping poses a serious threat to human health and livelihoods.
Analysis of questionnaire survey on the impacts of the relocated tannery industry in Hemayetpur area
The questionnaire survey has been conducted on tannery workers and residents of the surrounding area around the industrial sites. The major field of the questionnaire is related to the social structure, environmental issues, and health and safety status. Figure 2 shows the number of respondents surveyed in the present study.
Figure 2: The itemise number of respondents in the study plan.
Social Structure
The respondents were asked structured questions about social status. Concerning this issue, 84.85%
worker replied that they have no written employment contract. Figure 3A shows the result. Again, 84.85% of workers do not receive a timely wage (Figure 3B). Although child labour is prohibited by judicial provisions, 53.03% of the respondents have admitted that this malpractice is still in practice in the tannery sector (Figure 3C). The survey also reveals that almost 100% of women receive a down payment compared to the salary offered to male workers (Figure 3D). The medical facilities for daily workers are in a state of utter dismay. The categorical response says that almost 100% of workers are deprived of the medical facilities, the essential need for a human being (Figure 3E). The adequate facility for fire safety is also absent. There is hardly an available fire safety equipment in the entire industrial area (Figure 3F).
Figure 3: A: The status of written job document, B: The condition of timely wage, C: Child labour, D: The scenario on women's’ salary, E: Hospital facilities, and F: The availability of fire safety equipment.
Environmental issues related to the tannery industry
The overall environmental condition in the Hemayetpur tannery site is down the standard. Almost 100% response came that the industrial establishment is lacking an active Effluent Treatment Plant (Figure 4A). Though the tannery area has a water treatment plant, it is out of order for a long period.
As a result, the effluents have not been treated properly and are being dumped into the river without any pre-treatment. Therefore, the bad smell is coming out and makes the area unhealthy. The pollution of Dhaleshwari River is unabated, the watercolour has changed, and the aquatic fishes are in danger.
A proper ventilation system is crucial to exhaust hot industrial gases from the outlet chimney.
Unfortunately, nearly 100% of respondents opined that the Hemayetpur tannery processing unit does not possess any kind of ventilation system (Figure 4B). The sign shows a peril for the essential working environment of the daily labourer. Without proper ventilation of exhaust gases, there may be a risk of toxic gas suffocation problem. Fishes, especially the freshwater fish resources, are a potential source of nutrient for our body. More than 700 rivers are running in Bangladesh which serve a very important reservoir for freshwater fish cultivation, the Dhaleshwari River is one of them. But, currently, this river is being fed by the tannery effluents of the relocated Hemayetpur tannery processing establishments. In our survey, 93% respondent agreed that the water quality of the Dhaleshwari River is getting deteriorated over the excessive dumping of tannery wastes (Figure 4C). This scenario induces the river to pay a heavy cost to grow enough fish to supply in the local markets. Moreover, the watercolour also turns black due to the presence of undissolved or floating materials, directly dumped from the tannery wash. In the present survey, 100% respondent relied on the fact that the colour of the Dhaleswari River has declined substantially (Figure 4D). Besides, the bad water also releases foul odour due to a high load of perishable items. Almost 100% reply came affirmative about the bad smell of river water. The local people are worried about the Government’s regularly monitor activities on the environmental condition, more importantly, in the industrial areas like the one presented here. About 100% of respondents replied that the Government does not monitor the site (Figure 4E), most likely, no vigilance team has ever approached to visit the Hemayetpur leather processing zone. The sheer negligence of concerned authority, especially the body responsible for monitoring the environmental condition of the industrial site discussed herewith, may cause to incur an irreparable cost, that would, otherwise, impossible to pay.
Figure 4: A: Response of people whether the leather processing unit has an Effluent Treatment Plant, B: The state of the ventilation system, C: Response of fish production of Dhaleshwari River, D: The state of watercolour of the river, and E: The absence of Government regulatory monitoring team to oversee the environmental pollution in the tannery site.
Health and safety issue of the workers and inhabitants
The aim of our present study has extended to know the health and safety status of the tannery workers and surrounding people. Though a frequent safety training and awareness campaign are incumbent to the wellbeing of working people, unfortunately, at least 68.18% respondents (Figure 5A) opined that they have not witnessed any awareness campaign or even took part in any safety training. This shows that the factory owners do not value the lives of working people. If this situation continues, one can simply expect a major catastrophe, which could claim both the health and wealth of the nation. The breathing problem is also apparent in the tannery site. During the present survey, almost 100% of respondents stood to solid ground that they experience breathing problem while working in the tannery area (Figure 5B). Due to a lack of appropriate safety measures and personal protective equipment (PPE) accessible to tannery workers, a frequent accident is expecting. Among the people who took part in the survey, nearly 100% of the respondents have expressed their concern that they often fall into accidents while working in the leather industry.
Figure 5C displays the percentile response of the worker.
It is already mentioned that the tannery workers do not have adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) in the workplace. The reason behind this problem stems from the opinion of the people surveyed in the study. The hiring authority is fully responsible for providing adequate PPE to working people and make sure that the workplace is safe and sound. Unfortunately, the owners do not comply with the workplace health and safety protocols, even they failed to supply necessary safety measures, essential to maintain a good product chain. At least 74.24% of respondents opined that the tanneries do not supply any protective equipment (Figure 5D shows the per cent of opinion).
The participatory workers in the survey were also asked about the types of health problems they suffer due to the tannery wastes. According to Figure 5E, 68.18% of respondents suffer from pollution-induced health complications, e.g., skin rash, 80.30% worker suffers from itching, and 34.85% suffers from asthma. Prolonged exposure of tannery wastes from the Hemayetpur leather processing establishment, it is expected that the industrial worker, as well as the people living around the tannery site, will suffer from severe health problems, like cancer.
Figure 5: A: The response regarding the availability of awareness campaign and safety training, B: Opinion of breathing problem while working in the industry, C: Perception to fall frequent accidents in the workplace, D: Status on supplying personal protective equipment (PPE), and E:
The per cent people suffering from different health problems.
Current status and future research prospects
The leather industry plays an important role in the GDP of Bangladesh due to its large potential input in the job market and harnessing foreign currency by exporting leather goods (Hossain, 2007).
At the same time, it poses serious environmental threats by discharging non-treated liquid effluents (Chakraborty et al., 2013) and solid wastes, making the surrounding low-lying areas vulnerable to human settlement and crop production (Bhowmik et al., 2009). Earlier, the tannery industries were situated in the Hazaribagh area, just close to the River Buriganga, where these industries have caused severe pollution and dropping down the water quality of the Buriganga River. Now, the relocated tannery site at Hemayetpur also poses a similar environmental problem. The possible air pollutant emissions (Hashem et al., 2015) from tannery warrants regular monitoring. In the present situation, a concerted effort consisting of the tannery owners’ willingness and government’s intervention is essential to curb the pollution level of Hemayetpur new tannery site below the permissible threshold. More importantly, the legislative body should come forth to address the pollution issues and bring them before the responsible authority.
Conclusions
After the relocation of the tannery in Hemayetpur, it is discharging the liquid wastes into the Dhaleshwari River without proper treatment. The fish production has already declined to cause a shortfall in the local market as perceived by the local people. Solid tannery wastes are being dumped into open places. That is why the local people and workers have to face the bad smell and health- related problems. The lack of proper facility of personal protective equipment for the workers causes exposure to harmful chemicals to the workers’ body. Although the tannery industry is deteriorating the very sound condition of our environment and threatening the health of people, it is, fortunately, widening the employment opportunities. The enterprise seems to act as a catalyst for the development of business endeavours and escalating the national gross income. Therefore, a suitable environmental management plan with regular monitoring of environmental quality is highly needed for the newly established tannery hub at Savar.
Acknowledgements
Authors owe their gratitude to all the respondents participated in this research.
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