Ship breaking policy will come out in Bangladesh

The government will soon make a policy for the shipping-breaking industry to ensure environment-friendly growth of the troubled sector. Industries Minister Dilip Barua said this on Saturday while inaugurating a two-day workshop titled 'Chemical Hazards, Safety and Environment' at Mokarram Hossain Khandaker science building auditorium at Dhaka University. Institute of Chemists and Chemical Technologists Bangladesh (ICCTB) and Bangladesh Chemical Society (BCS) jointly organised the workshop on risks of chemical contamination of the environs. As planned in the proposed policy, all ship- breaking industries will be brought under legal framework and control. "Besides, the construction of Dumping Yard for the recycling of hospital wastes is also under government's consideration," the minister told the function. At the workshop, the speakers emphasised establishing-environment-friendly industries to face the challenges of global climate change. They pointed out that unplanned and irresponsible use of chemicals has become a threat to human body, biodiversity and environment. The experts suggested creating awareness among people about the effects of chemicals as well as ensuring strict enforcement of the law to ban the use of chemicals. Their concerns came when reports are rife that the indiscriminate use of chemicals as food preservatives and colouring posed serious public health hazards. BCS President M Muhibur Rahman chaired the function. Dhaka University Vice-chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique, Science Faculty Dean Prof Tajmeri SA Islam and ICCTB Director General Prof Abu Jafar Mahmud also spoke.