Impacts of Industrial Pollution on Human Health: Empirical Evidences from an Industrial Hotspot (Kaliakoir) in Bangladesh

Abstract

Water pollution impact on human health is a rising global concern. This pollution is largely caused by agriculture runoff, disposal of solid waste, sewage especially in the urban areas and discharge of untreated industrial waste. These have both direct and indirect adverse impacts on human health. There are about 1176 industrial units in the country of different types that pollute the river and wetlands especially around the urban areas. This study was conducted to explore health hazards from industrial pollution in Kaliakoir, Bangladesh. Based on the authors' analysis of primary and secondary data, the study reveals that the industrial pollution has caused several health problems for the local community in the vicinity of this industrial zone. Empirical evidence indicates that the incidence of skin diseases, ARI, anemia, peptic ulcer in the region, have been found to have increased between 1998 and 2003. This implies that there are clear linkages between the negative impacts of water pollution due to rising industrial waste and effluents on human health.