Abstract:
Bangladesh is pro:noting rapid industrial development and on the other hand industries contribute to
serious pollution problems, since a large number of industries discharge their wastes (solid, liquid and
gaseous), including potentially toxic substances, without treatment directly into the environment. /\
brief study on waste management in selected small and cottage industries in Dhaka city(mainly in old
part of the city) is necessary as large number of cottage industries established which have great impact
on environment , The study focused on settlement pattern of cottage industries in Dhaka city, waste
management practice. occupational health and environmental problems. with a view to recommend
few measures and action plan for improvement. For the purpose of investigation a sample size of 108
cottage industries among 10 categories have been identified. Most of the cottage industries arc
located dispersedly all over the old part of Dhaka city both commercial and residential areas, 111
many cases the factory premises and workers residences are in the same building,
Solid waste generation in most of the factories are not significant except in polythene(Plastic), metal
and chemical factories solid waste generation varied from 4-22 kg per day. The solid wastes are
mostly disposed off either indiscriminately into open drain or dumped on the street. A relatively
significant quantity of liquid eIements are produced from the textile dyeing(Painting) which varied
from 200 to 400 kg/day. Moreover, the effluent from paint, chemical and metal factories appeared to
be relatively small in quantity ranging from 10-20 kg pCI'day, but it contained heavy metals likc Cu,
Zn, Ni. Cd, Cr, Pb, The liquid effluent may contain high BOD, COD, Suspended Solid (SS), Tot,d
Solid (TL), High I'", Strong Colour etc, arc disposed olTwithout any treatment to the roadside open
drains. H()\vever. gaseous emissions arc not objectionable in general. but in plastic industries, dyeing
indnstries. ~Qapfactories, paint and metal factories. dust and pungent or smelly emissions arc found to
hayc erratic impact on the workers and on surrounding environment causing acute rcspiratOl)'
problems to the workers and due to profuse smoke generation from plastic, soap and metal factories,
eye ilTitation arc also observed.
The problem of noise and smoke arc observed prominently in plastic and metal f'letories. Impact on
air pollution is negligible from the individual industr)', since the eluster of industry is situated in the
old Dhaka city may have the impact of air pollution .Industries surveyed have been found to occupy
very limited spaces which are inadequate to maintained minimum standard of working condition
conductive to health. Thc occupational health problem arc observed from polythene, rubber, dry cell
battery, paint, soap and chemical and metal factories. Respiratory problem is reported li'OIllthe textile
dyeing workers although skin lesions are reported from textile dyeing, soap and metal factories.
