The adverse effects of river pollution threaten Public Health
Chemicals and pesticide use in agriculture continue to cause river pollution. Drinking this contaminated water causes damage to people’s health, from the brain to the reproductive system.
As river water pollutes, it gets into food through the production process. It then creates physical handicaps and malnutrition in children. Therefore, people should be aware of these issues:
- Do not throw Polythene into the river.
- Do not throw plastic bottles into the river.
- Do not throw packets of chips into the river.
The speakers said these things at the Waterkeepers Bangladesh Consortium anti-pollution ‘River Talk’ program titled
‘Health Effects of River Pollution’ on July 30 to raise awareness to prevent river pollution. The event takes place in the open space next to Basila Primary School on the banks of the Buriganga River.
Sharif Jamil, Coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh, said, ‘If used properly – we can protect the river and mitigate its health impacts.
If we cannot protect our rivers, we will ultimately fail to protect our riverine country. Moreover, if we want to save Dhaka, the heart of our country, we must save the Buriganga.”
Shahinur Akhter of the Nari Maitree organization said, “We should not throw Polythene or plastic bottles or packets of chips in the river. These issues are fundamental to inform the people.”
Hasnat M Alamgir, Professor at the Department of Public Health, American International University, Bangladesh, said, “If the ongoing anti-pollution activities remain under strict monitoring, it will be possible to prevent river pollution.”
Dr. Abu Mohammad Zakir Hossain, Regional Adviser (Environment and Climate Change) of WHO’s Southeast Asia Regional Office, said, ‘River pollution, that is, river water pollution caused due to chemical substances and pesticides used in agriculture.
Drinking this contaminated water causes damage from the human brain to the reproductive system. The kidney and liver are the most affected. Children have asthma, heart disease, physical disabilities, and other water-borne diseases.”
Mandira Guha Neogi, Project Director, Policy and Food Systems at Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, said, “As the river water is polluted, it enters the food through the food production process, then it creates physical handicaps and malnutrition in children. So public awareness is vital to prevent river pollution.”
