DHAKA: Environmentalists Saturday expressed apprehension that millions of people of Bangladesh are victims of poisonous lead-mixed colours, the old and children being in a vulnerable situation.  

“More than 80 percent people, including pregnant women, of the country are at high risk of lead poisoning through colours,” said one researcher.

The anxiety came from a seminar on ‘The Wideness of Lead-mixed Colour: Risks and Actions to be Needed’ organized by Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) and Bangladesh Chemical Society at the National Press Club.  

According to a research paper presented in the seminar, the country produces a total of 77,220 metric tonnes of beautifying colours and about 98 percent contain lead amount above permissible levels. As a result, about 88 percent people of the country fall sick.

Professor M Muhibur Rahman, President of Bangladesh Chemical Society, told banglanews24.com.bd that children and the old are in vulnerable situation. Lead interrupts normal growth of children. It causes behavioral problem along with hearing during pregnancy period.  

Muhibur also said,” The production of lead-mixed colours should be banned and stern action is needed to stop further pollution.”

Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, Vice-chancellor of Dhaka University, said the government did not take any step to control the use of lead in colour even after the liberation war, “whereas developed countries of the world have already banned this type of harmful actions.”

Director-General of ESDO and Chief Researcher Dr Hossain Shahriar, Abu Nasser Khan, Chairman of POBA, Prof Dr Jafor, Chairman of Chemistry Department of Dhaka University, among others, addressed the seminar.

BST 1724 Hrs, June 19, 2010
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