Deadly 'PFAS' becomes a new pollution threat

A new deadly form of pollution has emerged in the country named ‘PFAS’. This dangerous pollution is created by compounds formed from fluorine and carbon emitted by various factories. Several surveys have reported that PFAS has spread alarmingly in areas like Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, and Narsingdi. Gradually, it may spread to even wider areas. Researchers warn that if this deadly pollution is not stopped quickly, people will face serious health risks including cancer, skin diseases, liver cirrhosis, heart disease, and thyroid problems.

What is PFAS?
PFAS is formed from compounds of fluorine and carbon. The full name of this chemical substance is poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS for short. One of its main components, fluorine, is the most reactive chemical element, which (except helium and neon) rapidly attacks and corrodes nearly all substances. At room temperature, it initiates combustion with almost all organic materials and many metals. Fluorine reacts with brick, glass, and steel, burning through them and escaping. Pure fluorine is an extremely toxic gas. Even a minimal amount of fluorine in the air can cause human death. Fluorine gas quickly oxidises living cells and destroys them, reacts with cellular water to form highly toxic hydrofluoric acid, and generates extreme heat in these reactions. Thus, the damage caused by the chemical reaction, toxicity, and heat from fluorine exposure is extremely difficult to remedy. On the other hand, carbon monoxide (a carbon compound) is a dangerous gas. If inhaled in high concentrations, a person can quickly lose consciousness and may die without immediate medical treatment.

Harmful effects of PFAS
As PFAS does not degrade easily, it can remain in the environment for a long time. For this reason, it is also called a ‘forever chemical’. Experts state that exposure to this chemical beyond a certain level can cause cancer and even birth defects in newborns. PFAS can lead to liver cirrhosis, heart disease, thyroid issues, kidney complications, skin disorders, infertility, and in some cases, strokes.

Highest presence of PFAS in country
Researchers have found a widespread presence of PFAS in some areas of Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Manikganj, Tangail, and Mymensingh districts. Around 87 percent of surface water and 75 percent of tap water near textile factories in these areas contained PFAS. In Savar’s Karnatali River and Tongi’s Turag River, PFAS levels were found to be many times higher than the permissible limit. Additionally, a dangerous presence of PFAS has been detected in numerous rivers across Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Manikganj, Tangail, and Mymensingh. As a result, the immunity of people living in these areas is decreasing, and they are suffering from various complex diseases.

What research and experts say
A 2024 study by the Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), the country’s largest multidisciplinary research institute funded by the Government of Bangladesh, stated that surface and tap water samples collected from industrial areas of Dhaka and surrounding districts like Gazipur, Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Manikganj, Tangail, and Mymensingh contained high levels of toxic PFAS chemicals. In many samples, PFAS levels were far above the limits set by the European Union, the United States, and the Netherlands. Waste from various industries such as ceramics, tanneries, and garments in these areas has mixed with nearby rivers and drinking water, where the presence of the toxic chemical PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) was detected. Immediate action is required to protect against the effects of this harmful chemical substance. Regulatory agencies connected to the garment industry must take necessary steps to eliminate and reduce PFAS pollution to safeguard public health and the environment.

Professor Dr AKM Fazlul Bari, director of National Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (NINMAS), the leading nuclear medicine institution in Bangladesh, told Views Bangladesh, "PFAS does not easily break down in the environment and can accumulate permanently in animal bodies. This creates health risks. In Bangladesh, these chemical substances are entering canals, ponds, rivers, and streams from various sources and mixing with our drinking water."

He added, "PFAS carries various health risks, including reduced fertility, negative effects on foetal growth, and interference with thyroid hormone function. Prolonged exposure to PFAS can cause cancer, severe skin disorders, high blood pressure, imbalance, low birth weight in newborns, and can impact the effectiveness of vaccines. PFAS also severely damages the liver and kidneys."

Dr Shahriar Hossain, senior policy and technical adviser to Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO), said, "Toxic PFAS emissions from the garment industry and various ceramic factories are placing the public at high risk. Our rivers and tap water are being polluted as a result. Therefore, export-oriented factories must be made aware of this issue. Products contaminated with PFAS should be labelled as non-reusable and non-circular. The use, production, and import of consumer products containing PFAS—such as textiles, textile goods, toys, cookware, food packaging, and other items—must be banned. There is no alternative to quickly and effectively planning to purify the soil and drinking water in and around areas where PFAS or textile production occurs. At the same time, the state should rapidly raise awareness about the negative impact of PFAS on health and the environment."

Sharif Jamil, coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh, told Views Bangladesh, "We are overwhelmed by PFAS pollution. Once we conducted research and protested about arsenic. Even today, people in our country drink arsenic-contaminated water. Amidst this, the deadly and severe pollution of PFAS has emerged as a new threat. It was the government's responsibility to protect surface water, but due to the ineffectiveness and lack of foresight in our policies, both our water and soil have become toxic. We don’t even realise how deep a crisis we are in."

He said, "Rapid industrialisation is significantly contributing to PFAS pollution. This is not only a problem for Bangladesh but a global issue. Therefore, the state must take action to stop this pollution. Monitoring and registration of chemical imports must be enforced. PFAS pollution must be treated with the highest priority. Yet, despite PFAS reaching a dangerous level, Bangladesh has still not adopted the international PFAS ban policy, nor does it have any national law in place!"

Hira Talukder: Journalist