Most jewelers at Kishoreganj town like Station Road, Barbazar, Akhara Bazar area do not obey any rules for using acid. Don't obey the ban; the acid is burning in the factory from morning to night. People in the neighborhood are suffering from various types of diseases including asthma, heart disease, skin disease, eye diseases due to acid gas poisoning. Pedestrians and goldsmiths are also facing health risks.
Locals complain that, most of the jewelry factories here do not have environmental clearances. They do not comply with the acid usage restrictions. Nitric acid and sulfuric acid used in the factory work are being spread around the factory. As a result, public life has become disastrous. According to sources, the jewelry business started with a few shops in Barbar Bazar area of the city around 1940. At present, there are 292 gold jewelry makers' institutions and 89 jewelry showrooms in Kishoreganj. There are 7 dealers in acid.
According to sources in the Kishoreganj District Environment Department, the smoke must be flowed upwards through a pipe at least 100 feet with acid use in a designated house so that acid smoke does not hurt any harm to people.
Kazi Suman, Senior Chemist of the District's Environment Department said, acid could not be burned in residential areas. As per the rules, the license of the Environment Department should be obtained while setting up each factory. Many factories in Kishoreganj do not have licenses. District administration can take effective steps against these factories. Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Abdullah Al Mashud said, Additional District Magistrate Mohammad Golam Mostafa supervised the matter. He can say it well.
Additional District Magistrate Mohammad Golam Mostafa said, "I did not know about this. We will take legal action very soon for this matter."
