Public health at risk as illegal battery burning in Bancharampur

Faisal Ahmed Khan, Bancharampur (Brahmanbaria)

Published : Monday, 6 October, 2025 at 8:06 PM Count : 491

In Domrakandi (Nabipur) village of Bancharampur upazila of Brahmanbaria, lead is being illegally produced by burning old batteries in the dark of night. As a result, toxic smoke and gas are spreading in the area, which has become a serious threat to human health and the environment. Locals are suffering from various complex diseases including respiratory problems.

In addition, agricultural land, rivers and aquatic animals are facing extreme disaster. Some local influential people – Saiful Islam and his partners Obaidullah and Jahangir, are conducting this activity without the permission of the Department of Environment – said the locals. They said that truckloads of old batteries are brought at night and burned in an open fire. The work has been going on for the past 5-6 months. The owner admitted that although they have a trade license, they do not have the approval of the Department of Environment.

Meanwhile, workers are burning batteries in the open without any kind of protection, causing toxic gases and smoke to mix with the air. People in the area, especially children and the elderly, are suffering from various diseases including respiratory problems. A local resident said that due to this factory, respiratory problems and skin diseases have increased among children around his house. Locals said that those who speak out against this illegal activity are being threatened, sued and attacked.

Bancharampur Upazila Agriculture Officer Al Mamun told the media that lead is very harmful to soil and crops. Due to this pollution, production in three crop fields is being disrupted and the crops are becoming poisonous. Shamim Ahmed, convener of the river-life and nature protection organization ‘Tori Bangladesh’, told The Financial Post that the acid and chemical waste from burnt batteries are mixing with the river water, making it severely toxic. This is killing aquatic animals and causing serious diseases to humans and domestic animals due to using this water.

He said that the sooner it is stopped, the better. Brahmanbaria Government Women’s College Professor Muslem Uddin Sagar told The Financial Post, “Protecting people and the environment is my first priority. Therefore, the environment must be protected – for the sake of the existence of people and animals.” Bancharampur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ferdous Ara told the media that legal action will be taken to close illegal factories.

FP/MI