Wata Chemicals turns Mangalkhali hazardous for people, environment

NARAYANGANJ & RUPGANJ, Oct 7: Mangalkhali may have an auspicious name, but for thousands of residents living around Wata Chemicals Ltd, the area has become synonymous with fear, illness and environmental hazards.

The chemical plant, located in Murapara Union of Rupganj, is surrounded by densely populated villages where more than 50,000 people live. For years, residents have complained of toxic gas emissions from the factory, alleging that the fumes have caused illness, killed livestock and fish and damaged crops and trees.

150 tonnes of chemicals brought to Wata plant for destruction despite local health concerns 

Their concerns have resurfaced after more than 150 tonnes of expired and hazardous chemicals, stored at Chattogram Port for nearly two decades, were transported to the Wata plant for destruction.

The nine containers contain 150.89 tonnes of chemicals, including 25.55 tonnes of sulphuric acid, 500kg of nitric acid, 92.54 tonnes of methanol and 32.30 tonnes of thinner.

Residents of Mangalkhali, Katakhali, Mokib Nagar, Paboi, Thakurbari Tek and Baniadi have repeatedly held demonstrations and formed human chains demanding that the factory be relocated from the densely populated area.

Local resident Zaman Mia said people often suffer burning sensations in the chest, headaches and breathing difficulties following gas emissions from the factory.

“Gas emissions are also causing serious damage to the surrounding environment,” he said.

Another resident, Sultana Begum, alleged that emissions have damaged crops and trees and that protesters have faced threats for speaking out against the factory.

Gas-leak incidents have been reported several times over the past 15 years. In July 2017, more than 50 people, including women and children, reportedly fell ill after gas leaked from the factory. Similar incidents were reported in July 2019 and July 2020, while at least seven people were reportedly affected by toxic gas in August 2022.

Residents say they have been living with such risks for years.

Meanwhile, the 150.89 tonnes of expired chemicals were shifted from Chattogram Port to Wata Chemicals for what authorities say will be environmentally compliant destruction.

Mohammad Russel Ahmed, assistant commissioner of Chattogram Customs House, said the chemicals were removed on the recommendation of the Bangladesh National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention (BNACWC) to ensure their safe disposal.

The containers were transported under police escort in the presence of members of the customs destruction committee. Officials from the Chattogram Port Authority, police, fire service, BGB, BCSIR, Department of Explosives and Department of Environment are also involved in the operation.

The move was intended to reduce fire and chemical risks at the country's main seaport and ease congestion caused by containers that had remained there for years. Port sources said 29 chemical-laden containers are still stuck at the port.

The operation itself faced a scare on October 4 when a covered van carrying materials related to the consignment caught fire on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway while travelling towards Narayanganj. No one was injured and the chemical drums were reportedly undamaged. Police suspect the fire originated in the vehicle's engine.

By Monday afternoon, five containers had been unloaded at the Wata premises. Officials said most contained damaged plastic gallons and metal drums.

The materials will be destroyed in the presence of representatives from relevant government agencies, said Sohel Ahmed, assistant revenue officer of Chattogram Customs.

Wata Chemicals Deputy General Manager Bablu Das said the company did not have specific government approval to destroy this particular consignment, but claimed it had previous experience in disposing of abandoned chemical waste.

He said the factory has an effluent treatment plant (ETP) and other necessary facilities, insisting that the destruction process would not pose a health risk to residents. He also rejected allegations of toxic gas emissions, attributing them to vested-interest groups.

Narayanganj Department of Environment Deputy Director AHM Rashed said the chemicals were brought to the factory in compliance with conditions set by Chattogram Port.

He said a department representative would join the destruction process if the DoE was included in the monitoring committee, as it was during a previous disposal operation at the factory.

Rupganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abdullah Mamun Shafi said higher authorities had inspected the factory's ETP before allowing the chemicals to be transported there.

“However, no date has yet been fixed for the destruction of the chemicals,” he said.