18 April 2019, Dhaka: The Experts emphasized raising awareness to the use of mercury in products and its proper management at a stakeholder workshop. Mercury has a wide usage in various products and industrial processes, posing a serious threat to human health and the environment. Focusing on this a stakeholder workshop on “Mercury Pollution in Bangladesh: Effects on Health and Environment” under the Minamata Initial Assessment (MIA) project held on 18th April 2019 at Krishibid Institute jointly organized by Department of Environment, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Environment and Social Development Organization-ESDO.
Mercury containing-products continue to harm the environment even for many years after they have been disposed in the environment.In 2017/18 survey conducted by ESDO, estimated mercury input in the environment is 21,030kg/year. Bangladesh has no specific guidelines regarding the management of mercury in products, or how to safely manage the uses of either products or equipment that contains mercury or mercury compounds. When it is discarded or thrown, it pollutes environment and creates serious harm to public health. It damages the nervous system, kidneys, and cardiovascular system.The main objective was to create awareness about the harmful effects of mercury and make a regulation immediately for the Phase out of Mercury Added Products in Bangladesh within 2020.
The seminar was chaired by Dr. Sultan Ahmed, Director General, Department of Environment. Dr. Md. Billal Hossain, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Mohammad Yamin Chowdhury, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Mr. Masud Iqbal Md. Shameem, Project Director, MIA Project, Department of Environment; Dr. Shahriar Hossain, Secretary General, ESDO and UNEP Mercury waste expert participated in the event.
Dr. Sultan Ahmed, Director General, Department of Environment said, “The Minamata Convention on Mercury, a major international treaty aiming at protecting human health and the environment from anthropogenic releases of mercury and mercury compounds was signed by Bangladesh on 10 October 2013. According to that mercury use in different products has to be banned by 2020.”
Dr. Md. Billal Hossain, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said, “We are in a high alarming situation of mercury emission in Bangladesh. There are many consumer products contain high level of mercury which create environment and health hazards. We need much awareness and regulation to phase out mercury containing products. He stressed the importance and urgency of the ratification of Minamata convention on mercury.”
Mr. Masud Iqbal Md. Shameem, Project Director, MIA Project, Department of Environment  said, “All mercury added products have available mercury free alternatives in our country . So there really isn’t any reason for us to keep using mercury-added products.”
Mohammad Yamin Chowdhury, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said, “Long-term exposure can have serious health consequences. So civil society should come forward to create public awareness .”
Dr. Shahriar Hossain, Secretary General, ESDO and UNEP Mercury waste expert said, “When mercury added product are thrown to the environment they mixed with the drainage water easily and finally added to the river and sea. He also added that when mercury added to the blood circulation it damages blood cell.”
The European Union banned mercury-containing batteries, thermometers, barometers, blood pressure monitors, cosmetics. Mercury is also no longer allowed in most switches and relays found in electronic equipment. Energy-efficient lamps using mercury technology are only permitted on the market with reduced mercury content. In Bangladesh all mercury added products have available mercury free alternatives. So now Bangladesh should move forward to make a regulation on mercury added products.
 For More Information:
 Siddika Sultana
Executive Director of ESDO
E-mail: siddika@esdo.org
Contact No: 01714073861