Fallout Of Toxic Gas From ZFCL

Ammonia-hit villagers' demand unheeded

28 March 2009, 18:00 PM

Sheikh Md Shahidul Islam, Brahmanbaria

Pollution by ammonia gas emitted from the factory of Ashuganj Zia Fertilizer Company Limited (ZFCL) in the district is causing respiratory and skin diseases to the surrounding villagers and affecting environment and ecology in the area. On last Sunday, local people again gathered at the factory gate to press the authorities to take urgent step to stop the pollution as large-scale pollution during the last several days left at least 300 people affected with respiratory diseases. The ammonia pollution is also badly affecting plants, trees, crops, animals, poultry and cattle in the areas around the factory. The worst affected villages are Char Chartala, Sharifpur, Shariatnagr, Panchbhitha, Madhupur and Lalpur under Ashuganj upazila. “Sometimes it seems I will die of suffocation caused by ammonia gas,” said Md Kuddus Mia of Char Chartala. Rokeya Begum, who is suffering from sores in between the gaps of her fingers and toes for two years, said, “When I stay at a far away village for some days, my painful disease gets cured.” Murad Mia, Rumena Begum and Kuhinoor Begum have told similar tales. Children, elderly people and asthma patients are the worst sufferers of the ammonia pollution. Chartala UP ward member Md Zakir Hossain said they have repeatedly urged the authorities to take urgent steps to solve the problem, but to no effect. The medical officer (MO) of Civil Surgeon Office of Brahmanbaria, Dr Md Shawkat Hossain said spread of ammonia leads to air pollution and water pollution that may cause skin disease, respiratory problems and other long-term complexities. “Ammonia pollution causes chest and skin diseases. It also causes genetic problem and affects the breeding organs of animal as a long-term consequence,” said Dr AKM Shaheduzzaman, medicine and chest specialist at Brahmanbaria Sadar Hospital. On several occasions, victim villagers gathered at the main gate of Ashuganj ZFCL to press the authorities to look into their problems. Emission of ammonia from the factory has become a regular feature as the system of controlling evaporation from ammonium tank remained out of order for long, said ZFCL sources seeking anonymity. When the plant is over-heated, ammonia from the tank starts coming out, they said. At a negotiation meeting with ZFCL authorities, victim villagers and local elite on March 23, Ashuganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Rezaul Maksud Zahedi urged the authorities to arrange a regular compensation and rehabilitation for the victim families and take proper step for permanent solution to ammonia pollution problem. When contacted, ZFCL Managing Director (MD) Md Osman Gani said they are trying to minimise the pollution by spraying water on the outlet of the tank that emits ammonia. “When any mechanical fault develops, ammonia emission occurs largely. We are going to take steps soon to get a hundred percent control,” he added.