July 21, 2018

Environmentalists on containing plastic pollution

Staff Correspondent

Environmentalists yesterday at a seminar said that enforcement of law alone is not enough, and awareness is key to containing the plastic pollution in Bangladesh.

Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) and Department of Environment (DoE) jointly held the seminar titled “Plastic Pollution in Bangladesh and its Impact on Environment and Health” at Ban Bhaban in Dhaka.

Speakers said the rate of plastic production and consumption is increasing day by day and at the same time unregulated, harmful and hazardous manufacturing facilities are big threats to environment and human health.

Plastic and microplastic are risks to public health as they enter our food chain, they said.

Abdullah Al Mohsin Chowdhury, secretary to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said that when plastic was invented it was considered a blessing but now the world is realising what a disaster it is. More…

https://www.thedailystar.net/city/enforcement-law-not-enough-awareness-key-1608244

April 28, 2018

Dhaka, 28 April, 2018: High level of toxic heavy metal has been found in aluminium cookware in Bangladesh. A study reportentitled “Aluminum Cookware: A major source of Toxic Metal Contamination in Bangladesh”disclosed the facts and warned that aluminium cookware causes neurological difficulties. The report was officially launched by Environment & Social Development Organization-ESDO in a press briefing yesterday (Saturday) at its head office.

Aluminum cookware is being used for cooking purpose in all over the world. Most of the cookware, used in South Asian countries (including Bangladesh), is made up of aluminum. Cost effectiveness and heat conductance account for its popularity. Despite being harmless in lower concentrations, high aluminum intake results in chronic health effects in the long run.[1]In Bangladesh high demand of aluminum cookware have led to more and more development of aluminum cookware manufacturing industries. Due to its availability and comparatively reasonable price the use of aluminum cookware is now widespread.

To assess the level of metal exposure from aluminum cookware, to determine the demand of this cookware and to identify the level of awareness among the local people about the issue Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO took the initiative of conducting extensive study in Bangladesh. This report contains how the study was conducted, the analyzed results, an overview of current situation of aluminum cookware used in Bangladesh, the risk associated during manufacture of aluminum cookware, the source and pathway of exposure of aluminum to human, health and environmental impacts, a generalized conclusion and recommendation for further investigation.

Considering the health risk from aluminum published in various study reports, such initiative was taken by ESDO. Aluminum can leach into food, especially when heated. Studies have shown a link between Alzheimer’s and aluminum. Aluminum has also been linked to DNA damage and aging of cells, breast and prostate cancer, osteoporosis, and can damage or irritate may other systems.[2]

Most of the aluminum cookware found in local market of Bangladesh is made of scrap metals. During the analyses it was observed that among the metal released from low grade aluminum pots lead content is high. Whether from higher grades higher level of copper are released. Four aluminum cookware samples from the local market of Bangladesh were collected by ESDO team and analyzed in a laboratory of San Francisco which showed an average of 216mg aluminum, 6μg Arsenic, 7.5μg Cadmium, 2μg Lead exposure per serving.

[1] Semwal, A. D., A.  Padmashree, M. A. Khan, G. K. Sharma, and A. S. Bawa. 2006. Leaching of aluminum from utensils during cooking of food. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 86: 2425-2430.

[2]https://embracingimperfect.com/nontoxic/nontoxic-cookware/

April 23, 2018

Dhaka, 22 April, 2018: Alarmed Youths called for an urgent action to ban plastic products. A mobile campaign was organized by Environment & Social development Organization-ESDO on  22 April to celebrate “Earth Day”. This year people are being encouraged to reduce their plastic consumption and use more eco-friendly materials.

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22. Worldwide, various events are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day events in more than 193 countries are now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network. This year the theme for earth day is “End Plastic Pollution”. As ESDO  is an environmental organization and working since 1990 againts plastic pollution in Bangladesh, It celebrated Earth Day through a mobile campaign and signature campaign.

At first a group of ESDO members started their campaign from ESDO head office heading towards National Press Club. Their they stayed for sometimes, gave slogans- “Say No to Plastic”, “Ban Plastic Bags”, “Save the Environment, Save the Earth” etc. They went to different spots of capital city Dhaka and did the campaign.

At the same time the signature campaign was also conducted. Youth members of ESDO described local people the impact of single use plastic and plastic pollution and make them understand the necessity of an immediate ban on single used plastic.

April 12, 2018

12 April, 2018: The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO and Bangladesh Dental Society (BDS) was extended to 2020, the very first version of which was signed earlier on 26 April, 2016. The most predominant focus of this joint memorandum was to establish a concrete regulation to ban amalgam use, import and sale along with the revision and adoption of alternatives in academic curricula by 2020. The extension event was organized on 12 April, 2018 at ESDO office (8/1, 5th floor, Block-C, Lalmatia, Dhaka).

The MoU was previously signed for joint action to eliminate “Mercury dental Amalgam” from dentistry sector in Bangladesh by 2018 between the two renowned associations. Through this current extension BDS and ESDO entered into an agreement to act jointly for the complete eradication of mercury amalgam in dental treatment throughout Bangladesh by 2020.

On behalf of the two organizations, the MoU was signed by Dr. Humayun Kabir Bulbul, Secretary General of BDS and Siddika Sultana, Executive Director of ESDO. A shared understanding among Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO and Bangladesh Dental Society (BDS) was represented through this signing.

The objectives behind this MoU are followed:

• Promote improving policy and enabling mechanisms.
• Promote community-based strategies that reduce mercury amalgam exposure.
• Promote access to mercury free alternative filling materials and support.

April 11, 2018

10 April, 2018: Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO arranged another awareness raising campaign in Shahajpath School to spread the knowledge of the devastating effect of mercury in our daily used products specially in cosmetics. The event was started at 11:30 am and continued to 2:30 pm.

During the campaign, students were first given a lecture about what is mercury, its use in personal care products, how it create impact, and who are the sufferers. The lecture was given by Sayda Mehrabin Shejuti, Assistant Program Officer of ESDO.

After the lecture session a card and poster develop competition was arranged. Students developed beautiful messages and posters on ‘Campaign for Eliminating Mercury in Products’.

At the end they all urged saying ‘Stop Poisoning Yourself’ holding the banner in front of them.

April 7, 2018

5 April, 2018: An orientation program was arranged for a group of 10 youths who have joined ESDO as volunteers on Thursday. All the youths are members of Bangladesh Girl Guides Association from different study background. ESDO team introduced them with ESDO’s activities, goals, current projects, action strategies as well as the sectors where their involvement is necessary. A daylong orientation program was arranged with a theme ‘Green Youths for a Toxic-Free World’.

As an action based organization ESDO always conducts study/research, campaigns and events to reach people and promote activities. For the proper implementation of ESDO’s projects and to reach it’s goal ESDO has decided to create a volunteer pool who will assist the ESDO team throughout the year in different project activities. Keeping this in mind ESDO requested Bangladesh Girl Guides Association to provide 10 girls as volunteers. After getting the confirmed list of the volunteers, the orientation program was arranged. During the event, there were introductory session, session on ESDO’s activities and current projects and two team building exercises. 

April 4, 2018

4 April, 2018: Bangladesh Dental Society-BDS and Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO has started their new approach of identifying and recognizing mercury-free dental chambers since 28 January as a part of their vibrant campaign to establish mercury-free dentistry in Bangladesh. As a sequential approach, on Tuesday ‘Orient Dental’ got recognized as mercury-free dental chamber.

March 24, 2018

ESDO along with students of St. Joseph Higher Secondary School began a new journey towards establishing a pollution free sustainable environment under the program entitled “Green Youth For toxic & Pollution free world” on 30th January, 2018 at the school premises. Defending every act that pollutes our world in order to preserve our nature through eco-friendly manners is the utmost focus of this program.

March 24, 2018

An oath was taken by the girls of YWCA junior Girls’ High School in an Awareness Campaign. They promised to avoid all sorts of products containing mercury and also shouted together saying, “Ban Mercury, the Poison & Protect Our Future.” The campaign was organized by ESDO as a part of their School Awareness Activities under the program “Green Youth For Toxic & Pollution Free World.” The aim of this campaign was to raise awareness among the students, the future leader of our country.

March 11, 2018

A written declaration was announced by Bangladesh Dental Society (BDS) citing that mercury dental amalgam should not be used in the treatment of pregnant women, nursing mother and children after June, 2018 through a press briefing. The weighty press conference was organized by ESDO along with BDS at Dhaka Reporters Unity on 10 March, 2018 starting from 11.00 am. and continued for 2 hours.

March 5, 2018

30th January, 2018: The premises of St. Joseph Higher Secondary School was resonated with the roars of their students for the urge of mercury- free dentistry in Bangladesh. The students expressed their solidarity with ESDO to phase out mercury amalgam in dental treatment under the program entitled “Green Youth For toxic & Pollution free world” in Bangladesh. Defending every act that pollutes our world in order to preserve our nature through eco-friendly manners is the utmost focus of this program.

The event began with a presentation where the students were edified about the deadly heavy metal mercury, its uses and most prominently harmful health impacts of mercury amalgam. Meanwhile Principal of St. Joseph Higher Secondary School  shared the stage with a brief encouraging speech for the students. A competition was also involved in the event as a session during which students were assigned to develop posters and facebook posts featuring harmful sides of mercury amalgam and its uses. Students spontaneously participated in the competition and accomplished their tasks wholeheartedly.

ESDO started a new journey to rapidly expand the necessity of mercury free dental treatment in Bangladesh through organizing awareness raising campaign in different schools. To protect our future generation from the detrimental effects of mercury amalgam and to establish a pollution free environment is the foremost focus of this initiative.

At present, Mercury, the life-threatening heavy metal, has been an ignited topic all around the world. While many countries hit the success to phase out mercury from dental treatment, we i.e. Bangladesh has lagged behind. But the matter of relief is that ESDO in collaboration with BDS commissioned themselves to establish mercury free dentistry all over Bangladesh within 2018 and this type of activities will enlighten the way towards the establishment of mercury free dentistry throughout Bangladesh.

February 19, 2018

For the very first time, stakeholders of plastic products, microplastics and microbeads came into one common platform to share their views and opinions about microplastic pollution. The key point of discussion was how to eliminate microbeads, thus minimizing the global microplastic debris.

A huge gathering of health and environmental experts, government representatives, stakeholders, academicians, and mass people encouraged the ban of microplastic, especially microbeads in a ‘Knowledge Sharing Consultation with Stakeholders on Microplastic Pollution in the Bay of Bengal’ to make people, especially the stakeholders aware about the emerging pollution threat from microbeads. The event was organized by Environment and Social development Organization-ESDO at Four Seasons Restaurant, Sat Masjid Road, Dhanmondi, Dhaka.

A video documentary was shown in the event followed by a power point presentation showing the study findings and survey results of ESDO on the current situation of the use of microbeads as well as the level of awareness among consumers and retailers in Bangladesh. It was very unfortunate that among 200 retailers surveyed, only a percent had idea about microplastic or microbeads.

Microplastics is used as a collective form to describe particles measuring less than 5 mm. Microplastics can be categorized into two types : those which are generated from larger plastic particles as a result of fragmentation and those which are generated intentionally as microbeads. Whatever the sources are, at present microplastics pollution is of increasing concern throughout the world.

Md. Billal Hossain appreciated ESDO’s initiative as it is the first organization in Bangladesh who has taken such an initiative to address the pollution from microbeads in Bangladesh. He said, “globally anti-plastic campaign has started in a wide magnitude whreas Bangladesh has not made such progress so far. It is high time to sort out the microplastic added products and to move forward with the solution thereby.

Khondoker Mostafizur Rahman said, “though microplastic pollution is a global problem we should first think from Bangladesh perspective. As Bay of Bengal is the most significant asset of Bangladesh, we should work together to protect it from plastic trashes. To reduce microplastic trashes in ocean and land the complete elimination of microbeads from personnal care products is inevitable.”

Dr. Shahriar said, “The British government has banned the production of microbeads in rinse-off cosmetics and cleaning products in England. The ban on production took effect on 9 January 2018 and will be followed by a sales ban on 1 July 2018. Bangladesh is not the producer of microbeads rather importer. So it would be easy for Bangladeshi Government to call a ban on microbeads in personal care products”.

January 30, 2018

30 january, 2018: Youths hit the airwaves today with an irresistible impulse to make the world toxic plastic free by saying ‘No’ to  microplastic specially ‘microbeads’ in personal care products. They made this urge in an awareness program entitled ‘Campaign for Ban the Beads’ held in Saint Joseph Higher Secondary School arranged by Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO.

The main objective of the campaign was to raise awareness among our future generations about the adverse health and environmental effects of toxic chemicals like plastic poly ethylene and derivatives and prevent them from using these toxic chemicals containing products. Not only that, as youth plays an important role in the development of a nation they were encouraged to make an urge to ban toxic microbeads in different products.

50 Students from different classes participated in the campaign and they were very eager to learn more about the negative impacts of microbeads on human health and environment.

The program started at 9:00am in the morning and continued upto 4:00pm. The whole event was divided into two different sessions. The first session was an interactive session where the students were educated about the negative impact of microplastic through multimedia presentation. After the presentation session there were question answer round.

In the second session a competition was arranged among students dividing them into several groups. Some group of Students made posters and others prepared write up for facebook post and developed messages on the theme ‘Ban the Beads’. ESDO will conduct such awareness campaigns in several schools and after finishing best competitors will be awarded with prize and certificate in a prize giving ceremony.

January 28, 2018

On 28 January, 2018 Environment and Social Development Organization and Bangladesh Dental Society in collaboration with World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry and Asian Center for Environmental Health  inaugurated the inauguration program of  ‘Mercury-Free Dental Chamber’ identification and recognition as a part of their vibrant campaign to ban mercury from dentistry in Bangladesh.

The inauguration program started by recognizing a dental chamber named ‘Dental Center’ in the capital city Dhaka  as  ‘Mercury-Free’.  Dr. Md. Mosharrof Hossain Khandker, the principal dentist of the dental chamber was provided with a sticker logo denoting ‘Mercury-Free Dental Chamber’ for his chamber.

ESDO in collaboration with BDS has started their mercury-free dentistry initiatives in Bangladesh since 2013. In line with this, dental chamber visit and mercury-free dental chamber declaration is an worthwhile approach to encourage dentists for practicing mercury-free dentistry as well as to let people know the best choice for them is mercury-free dental treatment. After visiting a good number of dental chambers in country the mercury-free dental chambers will be awarded certificate through a prestigious ceremony. The main objective of this dental chamber visit initiative is to make an ultimate call for the ban of mercury amalgam in dentistry.

 Earlier in 2017, BDS declared and set target to phase out dental mercury amalgam by 2018 in Bangladesh. On may 6, 2017 in a workshop entitled “Mercury-Free Dentistry: Way Forward” this declaration was made.

November 26, 2017

ESDO team and Young Dentists moved different areas of Dhaka including some crowded place in Mirpur, Mahammadpur, Shyamoli and let mass people know about the harmful implication of dental amalgam.Dhaka on 23 November, 2017. They showed a new method of campaign called “Mobile Campaign” on mercury free dentistry in Bangladesh today. To phase out Mercury amalgam use in dentistry and save children and child bearing mother  from the harmful effect Mercury was the main motive of the Mobile Campaign.  World alliance for Mercury free dentistry and Asian Center for Environmental Health supported the Mobile Campaign.

October 28, 2017

On the eve of International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week-2017 (22 to 28 October) a huge crowd of youths demanded ban of lead paint production in Bangladesh. Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO in association with IPEN organized the human chain and a rally under the theme ‘Learn the Risks, Educate Community and Ban Lead Paint’ in front of the National Press Club on 28th October to ban lead paint in Bangladesh by 2018 and to phase out lead containing paints globally by 2020.

The human chain was formed by around 80 girls guide members along with 20 youth members of ESDO Green Club. These teenagers were from various Bangla and English medium schools, colleges and universities who joined the campaign to demand for a ban on lead paint. They also conducted a rally. Many other people of different ages participated in the rally. They said that they don’t want to live in a leaded environment any more.

October 26, 2017

ESDO with support of IPEN, in line with the observation of International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2017 organized a High Level Policy Dialogue on ‘Learn the Risks and Ban Lead Paint’ on 26^th October, 2017 at ESDO Head Office. Syed Marghub Murshed, Chairperson of  ESDO and former Secretary, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh presided over the meeting. Government officials from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Environment (DoE), Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), Representatives from Bangladesh Paint Manufactures Association, Academicians and ESDO officials were present at the meeting.

July 4, 2017

International Plastic Bag Free Day is dedicated to heightening awareness and pressing issues brought about by this most popular of disposable carrying devices. We are reminded that those bags we pick up from the retailers are used for an incredibly short time, usually under 25 minutes, and are then disposed of. They may pass out of our thinking then, but they do not pass out of our world. Plastic bags remain in the world for anywhere from 100-500 years before finally decaying completely, and have a profound impact upon our environment as a result.

 Out in the great reaches of the ocean are massive reefs made up of all sorts of plastic waste, and plastic bags play heavily among them. Such is the magnitude of the problem that these great floating islands reach hundreds of miles, like great monuments to mankind’s wastefulness, and disregard for the world upon which we live. International Plastic Bag Free Day gives us an opportunity to remind ourselves, and others, that every action we take, and every bag we dispose of, affects the lives of everyone in the world for generations to come.

July 4, 2017

The International Plastic Bag Free Week is an unique opportunity to spread the word that a plastic bag free world is possible and that sound environmental alternatives to single use plastic bags are available. ESDO team celebrated this day through a chain of awareness raising activities. ESDO team developed IEC materials like posters, placards, video clippings and kept their social media sites updated to spread the massage of preventing plastic pollution. ESDO team conducted an awareness campaign on June 22, 2017. The team covered different shopping malls of  Dhaka city. They  disseminated the information about harmful impacts of plastic pollution through oral description, showing placards on the issue. They tried to reach the passer by, the students of local school, college and university, guardians of the students, teachers and described them what harms to human health and environment are caused by mercury amalgam.

May 27, 2017

Dhaka, May 25, 2017: Use of  non-stick pots and pans on a daily basis, means exposure to hidden  dangers. Non- stick cookware is made using a carcinogenic chemical which starts emitting toxic fumes that one  inhale every time while cooking  with a non-stick pot!  Environment and Social Development Organization- ESDO disclosed these findings through their study report entitled, “Uses of Non-stick Utensils and Associated Health and Environmental Impacts”. Syed Marghub Murshed, former Secretary and Chairperson of  ESDO  launched the study report at the press briefing yesterday at its head office in Dhaka.

 Non-Stick cookware is the name of one of those technologies, that make our daily life comfortable and easy. But it can act as a threat to our health and environment. Cooking in non-stick cookware allows food to get brown without sticking to the pan. It requires least amount of oil for cooking. According to the study, the non-stick surface is coated with Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), commercially known as Teflon. When the cookware is over heated it releases Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOAs). PFOA has been labeled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as carcinogenic.

In Bangladesh, housewives, children and pet animals are becoming the greatest victim of  the poisonous gas release from it because of the increased use of non-stick cookware. According to ESDO’s recent survey, in Dhaka city, women of all ages are getting affected by this pollution. Among 450 women, about 421 are suffering from the problem of kidney and asthma. Among 378 women about 25 to 35 women are suffering from pregnancy related problem. Among children, about 310 are suffering from the problem of kidney and asthma. In case of households, (who  keep pet animals), according to the survey result , about 211 pet animals died with 6 months. This primary survey is showing this kind of destructive  picture, which is a threat to our future generation.

In a pursuit to make non-stick coating manufacturing safer, industry officials of developed countries have made pledges to limit the use of PFOA and eventually phase it out of all production methods. But, there is no initiative on this issue in Bangladesh. Ceramics and stainless steel are considered non-reactive and can be used as alternative to non-stick cook ware.

ESDO urge the government of Bangladesh and the people to come forward and raise the voice to enact legislation to phase out the use of Teflon in the manufacturing of non-stick cookware. They stressed for mass public awareness for  immediate ban of Teflon containing products, stop production, sale and import of them.

May 10, 2017

Syed Marghub Murshed, Former Secretary of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Chairperson of ESDO, Charles G. Brown, President, World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry, USA, Dr. Shahriar Hossain, Executive Vice President, World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry and Secretary General of ESDO, Ms. Siddika Sultana, Executive Director of ESDO and Sayda Mehrabin Shejuti, Program Associate of ESDO made a courtesy visit to the honorable minister, Mr. Anwar Hossain Manju, MP, Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) on ,4^th May, 2017 at 2.30 pm.

May 10, 2017

President, Vice President of the World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry and ESDO team visited Sapporo Dental College of Bangladesh to share their views about the global campaign of ‘Mercury Free Dentistry’ with the faculties of the college on Thursday, May 4, 2017. Principal, vice principal, and other faculties of the college were present to welcome the whole team. A big crowd of intern doctors gathered to receive Mr. Charlie Brown and the team. Then the team moved to meet the faculties. All of them warmly welcomed the guests with bouquet of flower. Then the representatives of World Alliance, Asian Center and ESDO discussed about the use and present scenario of amalgam use.

May 7, 2017

Dentists, dental professionals, Government representatives and environmental leaders urged  the Government for phasing out mercury from dentistry sector by 2018. Yesterday  at a workshop, they demanded to take immediate step regarding this issue. Bangladesh Dental Society(BDS) and Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO in association with Asian Center for Environmental Health  organized this workshop entitled, “Mercury Free Dentistry: Way Forward”  at Four Seasons Restaurant, Dhanmondi at 12.00 pm.

The session was chaired by Syed Marghub Murshed, Former Secretary, People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Chairperson of  ESDO. Charles G Brown, head of the American National Counsel of Consumers for Dental Choice and President of the World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry, was the Special Guest of the program.

March 20, 2017

Lets make a promise to establish a mercury free dentistry. Come froward and lets work together to achieve our goal. Say no to mercury in the treatment of mother and children by 2017. Lets establish mercury free dentistry in Bangladesh by 2018 and in Asia by 2020.

January 12, 2017

Bangladesh Dental Society-BDS and Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO jointly organized a round table meeting to propose changes in Dental School Curriculum.  At the meeting, professionals and environmental experts emphasized the need of education and hand on knowledge of mercury free alternatives for the next generation of dentists.  They urged the authority to exclude dental amalgam from dental school curriculum and to adopt mercury-free alternatives.

Experts in the meeting on “Dental Collage Curriculum Revision and Adoption” say, Amalgam emits mercury vapor when it is implanted into the body. It crosses the placenta, accumulates in the fetus and cause serious damage. Mercury dental amalgam is the known health risk for children, pregnant women, nursing infants and people with impaired kidney function. Due to mercury exposure from amalgam in the workplace, dentists, students, the technician and patients may suffer from the problems of elevated mercury level in blood. Amalgam pollutes air, water and soil via dental clinic release. Experts describe that once mercury is released into the environment, it gets converted into more toxic methylmercury. It acts as the major source of mercury pollution in fishes we eat. Many alternatives such as glass ionomers, resin composites are now available. The harmful impact of dental amalgam and the necessity of using alternatives is not yet involved in the dental school curriculum of Bangladesh.