59 areas heavily polluted by lead battery recycling
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Splash
  • Features
  • Videos
  • Long Read
  • Games
  • Epaper
  • More
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Subscribe
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Splash
  • Features
  • Videos
  • Long Read
  • Games
  • Epaper
  • More
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Subscribe
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
59 areas heavily polluted by lead battery recycling

Bangladesh

TBS Report
13 October, 2020, 09:45 pm
Last modified: 14 October, 2020, 12:59 pm

Related News

  • ‘The geopolitical landscape is undergoing profound change, Dhaka needs to craft proactive strategies’
  • Edtech company Interactive Cares to hold Career Fair 2022
  • Pollution killing 9 million people a year, Africa hardest hit: Study
  • Spend only in priority projects: PM
  • EU’s Green Deal: Will Bangladesh’s export suffer in the long run?

59 areas heavily polluted by lead battery recycling

Research finds 59 areas in 147 recycling zones in six divisional headquarters with heavy lead contamination

TBS Report
13 October, 2020, 09:45 pm
Last modified: 14 October, 2020, 12:59 pm
59 areas heavily polluted by lead battery recycling

More than one-third of the lead-acid battery recycling factories across the country are seriously polluting the environment, says a research.

The research conducted by the Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) indicates that of the 147 recycling zones in the divisional headquarters, 59 areas were found lead polluted.

According to health experts, indiscriminate recycling of used lead-acid batteries contaminates soil and water with toxic substances, posing long-term health risks.

Though only five recycling factories have received environmental certificates from the Department of Environment (DoE) thus far, the DoE estimates that there are currently around 250 units across the country.

The factories dismantle used batteries and collect reusable items such as lead and acid. They melt the lead and sell it to retailers. During this process, vaporised lead contaminates the air while the discarded acid pollutes the soil.       

Lead-acid batteries are the earliest types of rechargeable batteries, which can supply high surge currents. This feature, along with their low cost, makes them attractive for use in motor vehicles. In Bangladesh, "Used Lead Acid Batteries (ULAB)" can be reused in some sectors.

According to the ESDO research conducted during March-August of this year, both formal and informal recycling of the ULAB are responsible for polluting areas adjacent to factories.

ESDO Executive Director Siddika Sultana said, "The government should take steps to ensure that recycling of both commercial and non-commercial lead-acid batteries is done in a safer and environmentally friendly way. And child labour in this sector must be checked. Lead pollution can cause serious damage to the nervous systems of the children working in the factories."

Unicef and Washington University's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) jointly published a research report in July this year.

The report titled "The Toxic Truth: Children's Exposure to Lead Pollution Undermines a Generation of Future Potential" said more than 3.50 crore children are at health risk from lead contamination.

The report identified battery recycling in open air and adjacent to localities as one of the major factors behind lead exposure. It said that such hazardous activities put both adults and children at substantial health risks.

According to IHME data, Bangladesh stands fourth among the countries that have higher mortalities associated with lead-poisoning. People in the country have elevated blood lead levels – 6.83 microgram per decilitre (µg/dL) on average, securing it 11th place globally.

According to an icddr,b survey, nearly half of the lead used in industry comes from used lead-acid batteries recycled by smaller factories. One of the matters causing concern is that while the government has long-term plans to ensure cent percent electricity coverage, lead-acid batteries still feature on the top of the list of rechargeable energy sources.

In Bangladesh, lead acid batteries are used in motor vehicles, solar energy production, power-run rickshaws and telecommunications, whereas 65-75% of the batteries are used in electric rickshaws alone.

ESDO calls for safe and environmentally friendly lead use and recycling in the commercial and non-commercial sectors. The NGO also urged the government to formulate clear policies in this regard.

ESDO further said that appropriate legislation and environmentally sound management are required to combat widespread potential risks and environment pollution. In Bangladesh, the ULAB-related restrictions should go through evaluation and scrutiny, with the application of relevant laws in the process.

Environment / Top News

Bangladesh / environment / battery factory

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Social safety budget to stay same despite inflation rise
    Social safety budget to stay same despite inflation rise
  • Graphics: TBS
    Facebook and Bangladeshi politicians: A new tide in mass political communication?
  • RMG makers worried over move on power tariff hike
    RMG makers worried over move on power tariff hike

MOST VIEWED

  • Representative Photo: Pixabay.
    Microplastics found in 5 local sugar brands
  • Representational image. Picture: Collected
    Bangladeshi student dies after being ‘pushed’ on NY subway tracks
  • Representational image. Photo: BSS
    Sanctions on Russia put Bangabandhu Satellite-2 project on hold
  • Tk100 for bike, Tk2,400 for bus to cross Padma Bridge
    Tk100 for bike, Tk2,400 for bus to cross Padma Bridge
  • PK Halder wants to return home
    PK Halder wants to return home
  • The hostile welcome to Bangladesh
    The hostile welcome to Bangladesh

Related News

  • ‘The geopolitical landscape is undergoing profound change, Dhaka needs to craft proactive strategies’
  • Edtech company Interactive Cares to hold Career Fair 2022
  • Pollution killing 9 million people a year, Africa hardest hit: Study
  • Spend only in priority projects: PM
  • EU’s Green Deal: Will Bangladesh’s export suffer in the long run?

Features

As the dynamics between global powers change, Bangladesh must be proactive to keep up its balancing act. Photo: Reuters

‘The geopolitical landscape is undergoing profound change, Dhaka needs to craft proactive strategies’

35m | Interviews
Graphics: TBS

Facebook and Bangladeshi politicians: A new tide in mass political communication?

1h | Panorama
Despite Bangladesh having about 24,000 km of waterways, only a few hundred kilometres are covered by commercial launch services. Photo: Saad Abdullah

Utilising waterways: When common home-goers show the way

21h | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

How Putin revived Nato

23h | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Paddle steamers in Bangladesh

Paddle steamers in Bangladesh

55m | Videos
Genome sequencing: best ways to diagnose pediatrics

Genome sequencing: best ways to diagnose pediatrics

1h | Videos
Reasons behind the sudden fall in stock market

Reasons behind the sudden fall in stock market

1h | Videos
The first mosque in India was built Prophet Mohammad time

The first mosque in India was built Prophet Mohammad time

14h | Videos

Most Read

1
Representative Photo: Pixabay.
Bangladesh

Microplastics found in 5 local sugar brands

2
Mushfiq Mobarak. Photo: Noor-A-Alam
Panorama

Meet the Yale professor who anchors his research in Bangladesh and scales up interventions globally

3
The story of Bangladesh becoming a major bicycle exporter
Industry

The story of Bangladesh becoming a major bicycle exporter

4
How Bangladesh can achieve edible oil self-sufficiency with local alternatives
Bazaar

How Bangladesh can achieve edible oil self-sufficiency with local alternatives

5
Govt tightens belt to relieve reserve
Economy

Govt tightens belt to relieve reserve

6
Impact of falling taka against US dollar
Banking

Taka losing more value as global currency market volatility persists

The Business Standard
Top
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • About Us
  • Bangladesh
  • International
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Economy
  • Sitemap
  • RSS

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net

Copyright © 2022 THE BUSINESS STANDARD All rights reserved. Technical Partner: RSI Lab