Marble industry posing threat to human health in Islamabad
Marble industry posing threat to human health in Islamabad
* 31 marble units operating in capital * Marble powder endangering soil fertility, flora and fauna * ICCI president says industry relocation would render 40,000 workers jobless
By Atif Khan
ISLAMABAD: Marble industry, one of the major sources of pollution, is posing threat to the health of residents and polluting the underground water channels.According to a report of Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), 31 marble factories are operating in the industrial estate of Islamabad (IEI). Their manufacturing processes included cutting and polishing of marble slabs and tiles.Initially, these units were using dry cutting process but due to regulatory measures, most of them switched over to wet cutting process. “Significant quantity of water is used to cool blades and catch the dust formed during the cutting process. Water is showered on blades while marble blocks are cut into sheets of varying thickness. Resultantly, the water cools the blades and absorbs marble dust produced during the process,” said the report.The wastewater is routed to a series of settling tanks, in which marble dust settles down partially and water is recycled. These settling tanks are not being used effectively due to arbitrary design and usage, the report added.Effluents discharge into channels: The excess water containing sludge is discharged into effluent channels of the industrial estate, which later passes throughout the capital. This water carries large amounts of marble powder, which gradually settles in bottom of the drain channels. Scientists say soil absorbs some of the sludge containing hazardous chemicals, which may spoil the soil fertility in longer run. After mixing with other chemicals present in channels, it may spoil the underground water of adjacent areas.Moreover, the marble sludge in the settling tanks is periodically removed and dumped in the vicinity of factories, the report said.Eventually, the sludge after getting dried causes air pollution problems for the inhabitants of the surrounding areas. Disposal of sludge is a major environmental problem. Another solid waste generated by the marble units is the cutting waste, the report explains.Threat to flora and fauna: These marble particulates destroy plants by covering their leaves and reducing their access to sunlight, ultimately trees die and vegetation in the area reduces. Studies show that these particles are also highly dangerous to marine and animal life in the area.Impact on human health: Dr Muhammad Zaman, consultant physician and head of pulmonary department, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad told Daily Times that marble particles transmitted to air during cutting were very harmful to human health. “The workers and residents living in adjacent areas are prone to a disease called silicosis,” he said.In silicosis, marble particles damage cells of respiratory system and people feel difficulty in breathing, said Zaman. There is no treatment of this disease and it leads to respiratory system failure, which could result in death of the patient, he added.There is no cure to this disease and only avoidance of dust can improve the patients.Zaman stressed that these factories must be shifted away from residential areas and workers should wear proper masks, while working.According to Islamabad Green City Plan 2008, Capital Development Authority (CDA) bylaws strictly restrict polluting industry in Islamabad. But Pak-EPA report says there are 115 heavy industrial units in industrial area of capital alone, along with dozens of other units established in Humak and other surrounding areas.Shifting of industry: Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Ijaz Abbasi told Daily Times that marble industry was one of major export-oriented industries of the country.To shift the industry out of the city, the government must first establish a marble city with all facilities like plotting, electricity and gas, he suggested.He said around 150-200 marble units were installed in the capital employing 200 workers each. He feared that shifting of units to some other place without proper planning and facilities might result in closure of industry, depriving more than 40,000 workers of their jobs, along with millions of rupees foreign exchange loss.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C03%5C07%5Cstory_7-3-2008_pg7_32
* 31 marble units operating in capital * Marble powder endangering soil fertility, flora and fauna * ICCI president says industry relocation would render 40,000 workers jobless
By Atif Khan
ISLAMABAD: Marble industry, one of the major sources of pollution, is posing threat to the health of residents and polluting the underground water channels.According to a report of Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), 31 marble factories are operating in the industrial estate of Islamabad (IEI). Their manufacturing processes included cutting and polishing of marble slabs and tiles.Initially, these units were using dry cutting process but due to regulatory measures, most of them switched over to wet cutting process. “Significant quantity of water is used to cool blades and catch the dust formed during the cutting process. Water is showered on blades while marble blocks are cut into sheets of varying thickness. Resultantly, the water cools the blades and absorbs marble dust produced during the process,” said the report.The wastewater is routed to a series of settling tanks, in which marble dust settles down partially and water is recycled. These settling tanks are not being used effectively due to arbitrary design and usage, the report added.Effluents discharge into channels: The excess water containing sludge is discharged into effluent channels of the industrial estate, which later passes throughout the capital. This water carries large amounts of marble powder, which gradually settles in bottom of the drain channels. Scientists say soil absorbs some of the sludge containing hazardous chemicals, which may spoil the soil fertility in longer run. After mixing with other chemicals present in channels, it may spoil the underground water of adjacent areas.Moreover, the marble sludge in the settling tanks is periodically removed and dumped in the vicinity of factories, the report said.Eventually, the sludge after getting dried causes air pollution problems for the inhabitants of the surrounding areas. Disposal of sludge is a major environmental problem. Another solid waste generated by the marble units is the cutting waste, the report explains.Threat to flora and fauna: These marble particulates destroy plants by covering their leaves and reducing their access to sunlight, ultimately trees die and vegetation in the area reduces. Studies show that these particles are also highly dangerous to marine and animal life in the area.Impact on human health: Dr Muhammad Zaman, consultant physician and head of pulmonary department, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad told Daily Times that marble particles transmitted to air during cutting were very harmful to human health. “The workers and residents living in adjacent areas are prone to a disease called silicosis,” he said.In silicosis, marble particles damage cells of respiratory system and people feel difficulty in breathing, said Zaman. There is no treatment of this disease and it leads to respiratory system failure, which could result in death of the patient, he added.There is no cure to this disease and only avoidance of dust can improve the patients.Zaman stressed that these factories must be shifted away from residential areas and workers should wear proper masks, while working.According to Islamabad Green City Plan 2008, Capital Development Authority (CDA) bylaws strictly restrict polluting industry in Islamabad. But Pak-EPA report says there are 115 heavy industrial units in industrial area of capital alone, along with dozens of other units established in Humak and other surrounding areas.Shifting of industry: Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Ijaz Abbasi told Daily Times that marble industry was one of major export-oriented industries of the country.To shift the industry out of the city, the government must first establish a marble city with all facilities like plotting, electricity and gas, he suggested.He said around 150-200 marble units were installed in the capital employing 200 workers each. He feared that shifting of units to some other place without proper planning and facilities might result in closure of industry, depriving more than 40,000 workers of their jobs, along with millions of rupees foreign exchange loss.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C03%5C07%5Cstory_7-3-2008_pg7_32
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