A lead factory for burning batteries has been set up illegally in Baufal of Patuakhali. Harmful and toxic chemicals emitted from these factories are adversely affecting the environment and public health. A local influential community has set up the illegal factory in Gosinga village of Sadar union of the upazila. The local people have strongly demanded to stop the illegal factory.
By vising Baufal it was seen that the factory has been set up in a densely populated area in Gosinga village of Sadar union.An influential group, including Saddam rented 50 cent of the land from a person named Rafiqul Islam for 40 thousand rupees for 1 year.
The walls of the factory are made of tin fence and polythene. Experienced plumbum/ lead workers have been brought from Dhaka, Satkhira and Bogra. Batteries are burned with wood-coal in the hole. Lead making work goes on day and night. Next to the factory there is crop land, cattle farm and some educational institutions.
The people involved in the manufacture of lead said, ‘The cells of the abandoned battery freezed like cement. Acid-laden waste is sorted into the holes with wood and coal.Then the fire and the air is supplied at high speed through an electric fan through a pump. Burning wood and coal creates a fire. Lead is burnt liquid. Toxic smoke billows. About 22 kg of lead is obtained from a large battery and 10 kg from a small battery.
These lead and plastics are sold to various battery manufacturing companies in Dhaka.
According to the locals, lead and plastic mixed with battery acid are separated during the day. The toxic acid mixture was burnt after 9 pm. During this time toxic chemicals are released abnormally. Lead is made by burning about two tons of batteries daily in that factory. The locals also demanded the closure of the factory.
Doctors say such substances increase risk of diseases such as shortness of breath, heart disease and cancer. Cattle can get sick or even die by eating grass in the vicinity of that factory. Meanwhile, two cows of local person Palash and Mojibar died two months after the factory was handed over. Several cows have fallen ill.
Asked about this, the owner of the illegal factory, Saddam, said, "It is not illegal. And there is no harm in it.
There is nothing to write in the newspaper. On the question of concern authorities approval he said, "What's the point of approval?" No approval required.
Rafiq, the owner of the land, said: "I did not know that lead would be made. They said they would store battery.”
Baufal Upazila Executive Officer Al-Amin said, "Immediate action will be taken to stop this illegal factory."
