Toxic chemical waste from yarn and cloth dyeing units in Kumarkhali Upazila of Kushtia is flowing directly into the Gorai River, while workers handling hazardous chemicals without protective gear are facing serious health risks.
The situation has raised concerns over river pollution, declining fish populations, and the health of labourers who continue working with acids and other chemicals with bare hands.
Workers said they have been exposed to hazardous substances for years while dyeing yarn, often suffering from skin diseases due to the lack of safety measures.
Local residents and environmental experts also warned that the chemical waste discharged into the Gorai River is contaminating the water and threatening aquatic life and biodiversity.
Field visits on Friday to the Serkandi cattle market area in the municipal town showed large vats placed on wood-fired furnaces where dye, acid, caustic soda, and other chemicals were mixed in boiling water to colour yarn.
After a certain time, workers were seen dipping yarn into the chemical mixture with bare hands to apply colour.
The used chemical water from these vats then flows through narrow drains and eventually falls into the Gorai River near the ferry terminal area.
Workers said they were aware of the health hazards but had little choice because they depend on the job for their livelihood.
Vat worker Abul Hossain said he has been dyeing yarn for nearly 38 years and continues to work with toxic chemicals with bare hands to support his family.
He said he occasionally suffers from skin diseases because of the chemicals used in the process.
Another worker Abu Shahid said the practice has continued for decades and workers usually wash their hands with glycerine after finishing the work, although many develop various health problems over time.
Another labourer, Abul Kalam Azad, said he has been involved in yarn work for about 42 years and many workers suffer from skin infections and sores after prolonged exposure to chemicals.
Several workers, requesting anonymity, said they earn barely enough to survive and cannot afford to buy safety equipment, while owners also rarely provide protective gear.
Officials said there are about 5,977 registered weavers under cooperatives in the upazila, while nearly 37,000 people are involved in weaving directly or indirectly.
A significant portion of them work in yarn preparation and dyeing, where acids, caustic soda, and other toxic chemicals are widely used.
According to local sources, the municipal area has around seven dyeing factories and more than 50 dyeing vats where several hundred workers perform dyeing work daily.
Each day thousands of tonnes of chemical mixtures are used in hot water to colour yarn, and the wastewater is discharged directly into the Gorai River.
At the Gorai bridge area, untreated chemical wastewater was seen flowing through poorly planned drains into the river, while a strong foul smell filled the surrounding air.
Kumarkhali Rana Textile Mill proprietor Masud Rana said hundreds of workers are involved in dyeing work in the municipal area and they are encouraged to use protective equipment such as gloves, although many workers do not follow the instructions.
Kumarkhali Weaving Board Deputy General Manager Mehedi Hasan acknowledged the health risks and said workers often use chemicals without proper safety measures despite repeated warnings.
He said the problem could be resolved through the installation of a water treatment plant and that work is underway to install such a plant under a government initiative at the weaving board premises.
Environmental researcher Gautam Kumar Roy said the chemicals used in yarn dyeing are harmful and the wastewater is being discharged directly into the freshwater of Gorai River.
He warned that the pollution is damaging fish breeding grounds and threatening biodiversity, adding that the Department of Environment should take the matter seriously.
Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer Mahmudul Hasan also said harmful wastewater entering the Gorai River is damaging natural fish breeding.
Department of Environment Kushtia Deputy Director Emdadul Haque said meetings had earlier been held with vat owners and workers to discuss environmental protection measures and they had pledged to take necessary steps.
He said the authorities will investigate the matter and take appropriate action if violations are found.
