International Journal of Environmental Pollution and Remediation (IJEPR)

ISSN: 1929-2732

1. Introduction

Water is an essential resource for life on the planet and human development. The textile industry is one anthropogenic activity that consumes and pollutes water bodies. Despite its undeniable importance, this industrial sector is one of the biggest global polluters, consuming large amounts of fuel and chemicals. However, the primary damages caused by the textile industry to the environment are those resulting from the discharge of untreated effluents into the water bodies, which generally constitute 80% of the total emissions this industry produces [1].

Water quality, a pressing environmental issue in developing countries, has reached a critical point in Bangladesh. The rapid population growth and industrialization have significantly deteriorated the water quality over the years [2].

The textile sector, a key player in Bangladesh’s economy, has had a devastating environmental impact. In particular, the dyeing and printing industries significantly contribute to river pollution, causing immense suffering for the local population. The gravity of the issue is such that most dyeing industries discharge untreated effluent or dyeing material into the nearest waterbody or river, leading to rapid contamination of the surrounding water bodies or rivers[3].

Previous studies have divulged that multiple potential toxic elements (PTEs) either in free ionic metals or complex metals were detected in the river near textile factories and effluent of the textile industry worldwide, such as chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), cobalt (Co), antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), among others. A plethora of studies have proved exposure to PTEs presence long duration doing great harm to human health, and Sb is considered a highly toxic contaminant due to its carcinogenic properties, damage to human immune and nervous systems, and severe ecological toxicities[4]. Despite environmental regulations to control industrial pollution, ineffective enforcement has jeopardized ecological quality. Consequently, most of the factories do not run ETP during production in operation[5,8]

This article presents a compelling solution that, if implemented, could significantly mitigate this water pollution problem. This solution could lead to a healthier environment and improved quality of life for the local population. The potential benefits of this solution, including a brighter and cleaner future for Bangladesh, are immense and should not be underestimated.

2. Literature Review

The textile dyeing and printing industry's wet processing units use many freshwater, synthetic dyes, chemicals, and other materials [5]. Moreover, these factories or wet processing units of a large composite factory have the highest ecological footprint due to their exhaustive use of “freshwater, energy, and chemicals needed to wash, dye, and finish textiles”[6].

On one end, textile industries consume high volumes of water per fabric unit for processing. On the other hand, textile effluents are often discharged into rivers or wetlands without proper treatment [7]. While environmental regulations, as articulated in the Environmental Conservation Act (1995), require these 'red category' factories to treat their wastewater, not all factories comply and many do not run their effluent treatment plants due to gaps in financing for infrastructure and technology upgrades, or cost savings associated with the treatment chemicals and electricity needed to run the system [8]. Consequently, untreated textile effluent discharges to the rcan contaminate groundwater and waterbodies, reduce dissolved oxygen in water, and affect aquatic ecosystems. The rivers of Dhaka, Narayangonj, Chittagong, and Khulna Districts are primary receivers of untreated textile effluents [9]. Bangladesh's polluting industries discharge untreated effluents directly into the river [10].

Water management and quality are essential for the ecological environment and urban economy, particularly in areas with severe water shortages. Ironically, surface water in Bangladesh is particularly susceptible to contamination due to anthropogenic factors such as industrial action [11].

Due to its heavy water consumption, the textile industry is prone to water pollution. The discharge of coloring materials into the effluent affects water quality; hence, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), and pH change their originality. The release of the effluents without any remedial treatment will generate a gigantic peril to the aquatic ecosystem and human health [12].

However, Maiko Sakamoto [13] observed that industries with low willingness to meet environmental compliance are a reason for weak enforcement of environmental laws and obsolete policies by the government. They also identified the lack of awareness among the stakeholders could not necessitate any enterprising effort by the government.

3. Material and methods

In light of the literature view and previous articles, primary data has been used to prepare this paper. However, 20 dyeing and printing factories were randomly selected, of which 10 obtained ISO 14001 certification, and the others did not. Secondly, a survey questionnaire was produced based on three significant factors: establishment of ETP and effective operation of ETP to compare any variance between the two categories. Thirdly, sample effluents were collected from the same factories to investigate the degree of pollution between the two categories. Later on, MS Excel will be used to analyze survey data, and after the water sample is analyzed in the lab, the result will be displayed in the MS Word table format. The following image portrays the flowchart data collection techniques by which desired data has been analysed.

3.1 Study area

The study has been conducted in the Narayangonj Industrial area, about 16 km (10 mi) southeast of the capital city of Dhaka. Narayanganj subdivision was established in 1882 and was turned into a district in 1984. The district comprises five upazilas, 49 union parishads, 881 mouzas, 1374 villages, two municipalities, 12 wards, and 115 mahallas. The district's yearly temperature is 28.65ºC (83.57ºF), 0.91% higher than Bangladesh's averages. This district's GPS coordinates are 23° 37' 21.5076'' N and 90° 29' 59.2584'' E. It lies on the banks of the Shitalakshya and Meghna Rivers, where most industries are established. Over 100 textile dyeing and printing industries, including local and foreign industries, are in this belt, and most are textile and dyeing industries. The garments and textile industries in Narayangonj provide employment opportunities to over 130,000 people. The factory workers and their families mainly live near this textile zone.

In urban areas in Narayangonj, busy highways, crowded markets, shopping malls, railway junctions, hospitals, playing grounds, and modern buildings are common, whereas in rural or industrial areas, tin shed houses and village markets are interspersed with various industries. Urban and rural inhabitants depend on the water from the Shitalakhya River.

Figure 2 of this paper shows the administrative map of Narayangonj district, and Figure 3 shows the factories (marked by F )where the samples were collected and surveys were conducted.

3.2 Sample collection techniques

Water samples were collected from twenty (20) different factory locations. The effluents were collected from the factories' discharge points, maintaining adequate caution. Sampling time was between 12:30 and 4:00 pm on 2 September 2023. Plastic bottles were used to collect water samples, appropriately labeled, and showed the location number, collection date, and time. The samples were preserved at average temperature in the laboratory. Only three water quality parameters were considered to determine the water quality: Electrical Conductivity(EC), Biological Oxygen Demand(BOD), and Dissolved Oxygen(DO). The results of all water quality parameters are compared here based on Bangladesh standard (GoB) and WHO (World Health Organization) guidelines.

4. Data analysis and fact findings

4.1 The collected data constructed on questionnaires was first sorted into two categories: Category 1 represents factories without ISO 14001 certification, and Category 2 represents factories with ISO 14001 certification. To represent the factory in number, they are expressed in short forms F.

According to Category 1 (Figure 4), out of 10 factories- the establishment of ETP is found in 4 factories, the effective operation is found in 1 factory, and final testing of dyeing stuff before discharge is practiced in 2 factories only.

On the other hand, according to Figure 5, the establishment of ETP is found in 10 factories, the effective operation is found in 6 factories, and the practice of final testing of dyeing before its discharge into natural water or river water is found only in 4 factories. Though there is no absolute compliance by the Category 2 factories, most owners did not defy the environmental rules and regulations.

As per observation, Table 1 below compares two factory categories responding to local and international environmental laws and regulations.

Table 1 Comparison between two categories of dyeing and printing factories regarding environmental compliance

	ETP establishment (%)	ETP operation (%)	Final testing (%)
Category 1	40	10	20
Category 2	100	60	40

Figure 6. Comparison between two categories of factories (Produced from primary data analysis)

4.2 As only three water quality parameters (EC, BOD, and DO) have been considered to determine water quality, the following two tables will portray the analysis result obtained from samples collected from 20 different textile dyeing and printing industries in Narayangonj. The following table only represents the permissible limit of three water quality parameters to correspond to the sample analysis results of two categories of factories.

However, after conducting a lab analysis, the following results reveal that most Category 1 factories pollute water quality. Only F2 and F15 did not exceed the permissible limits (as per Table 2), whereas the rest of the factories violated at least one or two parameters or all parameters in every case.

Table 2. The result of samples from Category 1

Factory Identity	Parameters and Results
	EC (µS/cm)	BOD (mg/l)	DO (mg/l)
F 2	850	6	3
F3	1100	9	2
F5	1400	10	1
F7	750	8	2
F8	700	7	4
F12	1300	9	6
F13	1000	4	2
F15	600	3	1
F17	1300	8	6
F20	900	1	5

Further, inversely, in Table 3, Category 2 factories represent comparatively better water quality results than Category 1 factories. Most factories here complied with local and international water quality permissible limits except F5, F12, and F17(as per Table 2).

 

Table 3. The result of samples from Category 2

Category 2
Factory Identity	Parameters and Results
	EC (µS/cm)	BOD (mg/l)	DO (mg/l)
F 1	500	4	2
F4	750	5	4
F6	850	6	6
F9	1000	5	3
F10	1200	6	3
F11	1150	3	6
F14	700	7	6
F16	600	3	2
F18	550	5	2
F19	900	7	7

5. Results and Recommendations

Results are organized by the two primary themes from the survey questionnaire based on ETP installation, operation, and practice of final effluent testing by the authority and sample effluent collection for lab tests to identify the permissible limit of the determined water quality parameters.

The analysis and results of both categories of dyeing and printing industries conspicuously illustrate that most Category 1 factories failed to comply with local and international environmental laws and regulations and discharged untreated effluents that pollute water quality. On the contrary, Category 2 factories are comparatively well-directed in complying with environmental laws and regulations, and consequently, they pollute less water quality.

In a nutshell, Category 2 has proved the efficacy of ISO 14001. 100% of ETP establishments have been booming, and 60% of operations certainly made a significant difference between the two categories. Besides, 40% of final effluent testing out of 100% is encouraging, too. Besides, only three factories were found to pollute water quality among ten, whereas two factories among ten only identified deteriorated water quality.

ETPs have been required regardless of the factory's scale and size; however, compliance is a challenge, evidenced by worsening water pollution. Therefore, expecting that only international standards can pressure the factory owners to establish ETP and run during production would be unwise. Instead, the government must monitor every factory occasionally to see whether they follow existing rules and regulations. Therefore, the government may amend its existing obsolete policies and laws to boost enforcement to prevent water pollution by the textile dyeing and printing industry. In doing so, imposing high taxes and including corporal punishment can be effective. At the same time, foreign buyers need to be informed by the government about any environmental violation committed by the factory or factory owners so that they can put pressure on the defiers of the law.

Besides, public awareness and regular campaigns on environmental pollution should be implemented inside and outside the factory.

4. Conclusion

The textile industry is our asset. It is one of Bangladesh's economic engines and dramatically contributes to its economy. Arguably, this industry has created many employment opportunities for unemployed citizens. Unfortunately, the government has not paid keen attention to these factories since Bangladesh's liberation, so there has been no significant development in this sector. Moreover, many industries have shut down because of government indifference. The minimum development we have observed up to now has occurred through the sole effort of the entrepreneurs. Therefore, infrastructural and administrative lackings are widely visible. Besides, there is a shortage of awareness and monitoring by the government, which, perhaps, leads to committing environmental crimes. Though this industry plays a diverse role in environmental pollution, incorporating good policies, strict law enforcement, and obtaining international standards by the factories can reduce their negative environmental impact.

References