Waterkeepers Bangladesh organized a discussion on “PFAS Pollution and Public Health in Bangladesh”

May 3, 2025
2nd admin

On Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 11:00 AM, a discussion meeting titled “PFAS Pollution and Public Health in Bangladesh” was held at Hotel Bengle Blueberry in Gulshan, Dhaka, organized by Waterkeepers Bangladesh. The event aimed to raise awareness about how per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) released from industrial waste are contaminating our water and soil. Sharmin S. Murshid, Adviser to the Ministry of Social Welfare, was present as the Chief Guest. The discussion was presided over by Dr. Muzibur Rahman Howlader, former Chairman of the National River Conservation Commission, and moderated by Sharif Jamil, Coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh.

Special guests included Hubert Boehm, Program Manager of the European Union; M.S. Siddiqui, Co-convener of Dhoritri Rokhhay Amra (DHORA); Dr. Sakhawat Hasan Jibon, Advisor to the Chairperson of BNP; and Zonayed Saki, Chief Coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon. A position paper on PFAS pollution in Bangladesh was presented by senior development activist Shahid Hasan.

Other speakers included Jackie Esposito, Advocacy Director of Waterkeeper Alliance; Dr. Zaki Yusuf, Chief Technology Officer of the US-based Cypress Systems Inc.; Atul Kumar Majumder, Program Advisor at ESDO; and Amanullah Parag, South Asia Mobilization Coordinator at 350.org.

In her keynote speech, Chief Guest Sharmin S. Murshid said, “We are deeply afflicted by PFAS pollution. Previously, we dealt with arsenic contamination, and even now, many still consume arsenic-contaminated water. Surface water should have been protected by the government, but our policies have proven ineffective, and we lack foresight. The water we drink today is contaminated, and we don’t even realize the depth of the crisis.”

She added, “Modern civilization has been built at the cost of environmental destruction. When nature is destroyed, people cannot remain safe. We must prioritize environmental pollution. The government must address river protection and PFAS contamination. Bring your well-thought-out plans to us—our doors are open. You are requested to form a task force on the issue. We must allow Bangladesh, a deltaic country, to flourish as a true delta and build it into a beautiful nation.”

In his presidential remarks, Dr. Muzibur Rahman Howlader said, “Although we have laws, they are rarely implemented. The pollution hotspots we once identified through the National River Conservation Commission have seen no further action. We must remember that no one has the right to destroy national assets. A large-scale effort is needed to protect these resources. Political leaders must prioritize the environment and include it in their election manifestos. All relevant ministries must work in coordination.”

Hubert Boehm from the European Union stated, “Rapid industrialization significantly contributes to PFAS pollution. This is not just a problem for Bangladesh—it is a global crisis. Governments must act. Chemical imports must be registered and monitored. PFAS pollution must be addressed with the utmost seriousness. The private sectors, particularly in textiles and cosmetics, need to be brought under monitoring.”

Dr. Sakhawat Hasan Jibon, Adviser to the Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), remarked, “As Bangladesh heads toward rapid industrialization, we must evaluate the measures being taken to mitigate its pollution. Polluters must be held accountable. We need to work toward green industrialization and good governance for environmental protection. The BNP’s 31-point agenda give importance to environmental issues, and we must work accordingly in the future.”

Zonayed Saki, Chief Coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon, said, “In our country, public health has been shifted to healthcare, which in turn has become commercialized. Now, businesses must comply with environmental and labor standards. Bangladesh is undergoing transformation. If we don’t plan properly at this stage, we will collapse. The environment is no longer an abstract issue. We cannot depend on foreign aid alone—we must build our own capacities. We need to plan where industries should be and where people should live, or we will fail.”

MS Siddiqui said, “We don’t manufacture chemicals—we export them. So, we must focus on that aspect first. If regulation is needed, it must start from there. Even now, when we conduct research, we rely on European standards. To study chemical usage or its impact, it is essential to first develop our own national standards. Harmful substances must be removed and replaced with safer alternatives. If our garments industry does not shift to recycling processes by 2030, we will lose many orders. What we need to do right now is have open discussions about harmful practices and raise awareness.

Sharif Jamil said, “PFAS from industrial waste is severely polluting our water and land. This is a serious threat to public health and the environment, which often goes unnoticed and unregulated. The contamination of our water bodies with PFAS is a growing public health concern that remains largely unrecognized by the government and the public. The National River Conservation Commission must be activated to combat this pollution.”

Shahid Hasan stated, “67% of Bangladesh’s water pollution originates from the garments industry, followed by the leather sector. Poor and low-income people drink and use this contaminated water for agriculture. Yet, Bangladesh has not adopted any policy to ban PFAS in line with international standards.”

Jackie Esposito added, “PFAS contamination was first identified in Colombia’s Bogotá River. In the US, it has become a major public health concern. In Bangladesh, it is also alarmingly prevalent, contaminating our drinking water and agricultural lands. Even fertilizers used in farming contribute to PFAS contamination. We need to formulate policies and reform existing ones to address this issue.”

Dr. Zaki Yusuf said, “PFAS pollution is a threat to biodiversity. It causes product loss and, if this continues, will lead to ecological collapse. Our water and land are being contaminated every day, leading to cancer and other serious diseases. We must stop discharging this chemical waste. The government of Bangladesh must adopt a roadmap to address this pollution.”

Atul Kumar Majumder remarked, “Civilization and nature now stand in conflict. Industrialization is taking place in forested areas of Bangladesh, leading to deforestation and pollution of forest lands and waters. Unfortunately, there is no monitoring in place. Industries like leather, textiles, and garments are labor-intensive and their surrounding areas are the most affected. Low-income workers residing near these industrial zones are most vulnerable to this pollution.”

Amanullah Parag said, “Most people in our country are still unaware of chemical pollution. While we talk about fossil fuels, PFAS pollution is also a climate justice issue and plays a role in neo-colonialism. We must unite to fight this injustice.”

Participants who shared their views at the discussion included former Director General of the River Research Institute Md. Sajidur Rahman Sardar; former Additional Secretary Syed Md. Matlubur Rahman; Dr. Md. A. Hannan of the Department of Shipping; human rights activist Zakia Shishir; senior reporter of Kaler Kantho Nikhil Chandra Bhadra; Chairman of Nongor Suman Shams; Monir Hossain Chowdhury, Executive Director of Environmental Research and Development Alternatives (ERDA); river activist River Ismail Gazi; Executive Director of Mission Green Bangladesh Ahsan Rony; Amzad Ali Lal of Turag River Platform; Umme Salma of Buriganga River Platform; and Jannati Akter Ruma of Balu River Platform, among others.

The discussion concluded with a call for all relevant government and non-government agencies to work together to combat PFAS pollution.