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Persistent Threat: PFAS in Textiles and Water in Palowan Para Community, Bangladesh - 2024

 

Location of Palowan Para Community in Adhulia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

© Google Earth, ESDO/IPEN

According to research by ESDO and IPEN conducted in 2019 and 2021 and published in 2024 Palowan Para Community is one of the communities affected by chemical pollution (PFAS). Palowan Para is near Kathgora Bazar, Ashulia. Nearby areas are Baipayl, Savar, Savar DOHS, and Tongi. A large amount of garment workers live here. Many of the female factory workers in this area experience various health problems, particularly related to skin issues such as water blisters, itching, and allergies. Difficulty breathing, indicating potential respiratory health concerns. Children in the area are particularly vulnerable to health issues. They are frequently experiencing skin problems, underscoring the broader health challenges faced by families in the community. The pollutants discharged by industries are responsible for it. Pollutants from industries enter the ground water of this area. Gastric ulcers have been identified as a common health problem for factory workers in the area. The doctors and health workers felt that this was due to irregular eating habits and the length of time between meals. Many of them confirm not only skin problems but also asthma, chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis, bladder cancer and irritation of the eyes problems are associated with working in the textile dyeing industry. Specific questions asked about maternal health care suggested that there has been an increase in complications during childbirth.  PFAS, known as “forever chemicals” are linked to severe health risks, including cancer and liver damage. They are persistent and do not degrade, therefore they contaminate the environment and human bodies „forever“.

 

Field staff taking a water probe at a sampling site

© ESDO, IPEN

Basic Information

Case ID: 2024.008

Identification Number from Open Supply Hub (OS-ID): BD2021341YV7Z0J

Open supply hub link

Affected Country: Bangladesh

Ecological Sector Risks concerned:

  • Soil contamination
  • Water and freshwater pollution
  • Chemicals of concern (as defined in UNEP Chemicals in Products Programme) (use or exposure or emission)

Community Details

Name of community:
Palowan Para Community

District of community:
Ashulia (Dhaka export Processing Zone)

Dhaka

Bangladesh

Known effects on communities:

Environmental Issues

  • Poor waste management
  • Poor drainage system
  • Water logging
  • Increased mosquito infestation
  • Temperature increased

Health Issues

  • Allergies
  • Breathing Difficulties
  • Water blisters
  • Itching
  • Eyesite Problems

Workers movement

No information about unions available.

No information about workers committees available.

Business Relations

It is not known, whether at least one of the buyers has the duty to report according to the Supply Chain Act / CSDDD.

Known business relationship to factory:

Nearby Factories include Ornate Knit Garment Industries Ltd, Fashion.Com Ltd., Everbright Sweater Ltd. and Haesong Korea Ltd.  Everbright Sweater has an entry in the Open Supply Hub (see OSH-ID) that names it as a supplier to members of the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles (PST).

Follow up

Known Reaction by Buyer(s):

Not applicable at this moment

Sources

Name of reporting organisation: ESDO and IPEN

Source of information about the case:

https://ipen.org/sites/default/files/documents/pfas-textiles-water-bangladesh-v3.pdf

Contributor: HEJ Support

 

  • Last updated on .

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