Dhaka, Bangladesh

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According to recent studies, dangerous levels of harmful "forever chemicals" are found in rivers, lakes, and tap water in Bangladeshi regions that are home to garment manufacturers. Some of these chemicals have been linked to major health problems.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), sometimes referred to as everlasting chemicals, were discovered in 27 water samples taken near textile industries in the capital city of Dhaka. Bangladesh is a global centre for fashion, providing brands to international markets.

The research by the Environment and Social Development Organization (Esdo) and Ipen, a network of NGOs, states that PFAS levels were found to be much higher in many of the samples obtained in 2019 and 2022 than in the EU and the US legal limits, and some of the samples included one or more internationally prohibited substances.

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A group of around 10,000 chemicals known as PFAS have been connected to several severe diseases, including several types of cancer. Since the 1950s, they have been added to and utilised in the production of common consumer goods.

They are referred to as "forever chemicals" because, according to experts, it may take hundreds or even thousands of years for them to break down once the items in which they were employed are discarded. PFAS have the potential to linger in water for generations if they seep into it. 50% of PFAS used worldwide is accounted for by the textile sector.

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Bangladesh is a signatory to the Stockholm Convention, which has banned certain PFAS worldwide and is now reviewing others. The international agreement seeks to shield the environment and public health from the harm that persistent organic pollutants may cause.

Sixty-seven per cent of the 27 samples containing PFAS included one or more PFAS compounds that are banned worldwide. High-level samples were frequently found close to textile facilities, indicating that the sector may be a major contributor to water pollution. The Karnatali River water sample had the highest PFAS concentrations, more than 300 times the recommended EU limit. Since Bangladesh lacks PFAS laws, the study's results were compared to those of the EU, the Netherlands, and the US.

“Bangladesh is a small country with a large population. The water bodies are major sources of irrigation, agriculture, industrial development and drinking water. We found that water is contaminated with highly toxic chemicals, and consider this a big problem that needs to be addressed. If Bangladesh is a signatory of the Stockholm Convention, it has an obligation to regulate PFAS,” Shahriar Hossain, a lead author of the study, said.

(With inputs from agencies)