Sanitation and Environmental Status of Near By Village around the Industrial Activities of Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ), Bangladesh

Abstract

The study was conducted at Dhamsona, Savar, Dhaka to assess the basic sanitation and environmental condition. This study was divided into two section. Firstly, we will see the environmental condition, secondly, the sanitation scenario. The area was selected conveniently and most of the family of this area was included in the sample. A questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents, who were selected according to selection criteria. Toxic effluents coming out from various industries of DEPZ first go to the Dhalai Beel, and the cumulative impact of these effluents affects the waterways and then the environment. A lot of wastes from DEPZ are poured into the Dhalai Beel, which then finds its way into the Bansi River. Here, in most of the respondent's families insanitary latrines were used. Water seal hand flushed, but rings broken and/or no slab /broken slab types of insanitary latrines were used by families, and open or hanging latrines connected to water bodies are also used. In many of the families there were no latrines. Use of sanitary latrines in the families with literate family heads was more than that used in the families with illiterate family heads. About 30% of the people are affected by various types of skin diseases and many other water borne diseases. Health education should be provided to the slum dwellers to create awareness about sanitation and personal hygiene.