Chattogram’s air, water heavily polluted, studies warn of severe public health risks

Highlights:

• Pollution cuts Chattogram residents' lifespan by nearly six years
• Karnaphuli River receives over 5,000 tonnes of waste daily
• Toxic groundwater contains dangerous heavy metals and chemicals
• Air pollution causes 102,000 premature deaths annually in Bangladesh
• Plastic waste clogs drains, rivers, and worsens city flooding
• Farmlands contaminated with heavy metals, reducing soil fertility

Chattogram is facing a worsening environmental crisis, with its air, rivers and groundwater all found to be heavily polluted. Residents are breathing toxic air every day and drinking water contaminated with heavy metals and chemicals.

Recent studies warn that pollution has already shortened the average lifespan of Chattogram's population by nearly six years. Experts say the city, despite being Bangladesh's commercial hub, has now become a hazardous place to live, especially for children and the elderly.

The Karnaphuli River, Chattogram's lifeline, is also suffering from high pollution and is under severe stress. More than 5,000 tonnes of waste are dumped into it daily, research shows. 

Groundwater samples from tube wells in the city contain chromium, cadmium, lead and manganese far above permissible limits, while water near dumping stations carries dangerous levels of nitrate and ammonia.

The Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association's Chattogram coordinator, Munira Parveen Ruba, told TBS, "There is a lack of willingness in the administration. They do not work properly, and in some case,s they are incompetent. Environmental responsibilities are given to people who have no understanding of the environment.

"The biggest crisis is political. Whichever party is in power treats environmental matters as their property. On top of that, most people remain unaware of these issues. We must ensure law enforcement and build public awareness to protect the environment," she said.

Researchers blame unplanned urban expansion, poor waste management, and pollution from industries and port activities for the crisis. 

Plastic waste, landfill seepage and industrial discharge are contaminating groundwater and rivers, intensifying health risks for residents.

Infograph: TBS

Waste is choking the city

A World Bank-supported study conducted by a team of researchers from the Institute of Marine Sciences and the Economics and Marketing departments of Chittagong University has found that the city's 5 million residents produce around 257,913 tonnes of plastic waste annually. 

Of this, some 70,833 tonnes, nearly 27%, end up in drains, canals and waterbodies, creating severe waterlogging and worsening river pollution.

The Chattogram Port Authority has reported plastic and polythene waste as deep as 7 metres in the Karnaphuli, posing major challenges for dredging. The city corporation says the city generates 3,000 tonnes of waste daily, of which only 2,200 tonnes are collected. 

The rest is dumped into streets and waterways, aggravating pollution and flooding.

Air pollution is cutting life expectancy

Air quality in Chattogram and Dhaka is among the worst in the world. Harmful fine particulate matter in Bangladesh's air is about 15 times higher than World Health Organisation (WHO) limits, according to the 2025 Air Quality Life Index by the University of Chicago's Energy Policy Institute.

The report says pollution is cutting average life expectancy by five and a half years nationwide, with residents of Dhaka and Chattogram losing nearly six years. From 1998 to 2023, fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) in Bangladesh increased by 66%.

Research by the Finland-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) found that around 102,000 people die prematurely every year in Bangladesh due to PM2.5 pollution, including over 5,000 children. 

The study revealed that nearly half of these deaths occur in Dhaka and Chattogram. Moreover, air pollution has significantly increased the risk of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and respiratory infections, it added.

Air pollution has also been linked to 669,000 annual emergency hospital admissions, 263 million lost workdays, and more than 900,000 preterm births, studies show.

Toxic groundwater

A 2023 study by Chattogram University of Engineering and Technology tested 117 groundwater samples and found excessive levels of iron, manganese and cadmium in many tube wells, especially shallow ones. 

Long-term consumption, researchers warn, could lead to kidney and liver damage and increase cancer risks.

Another study published in July 2025 found dangerous nitrate and ammonia contamination in groundwater near landfill sites. Researchers said children face higher risks of cadmium poisoning, while chromium and cadmium exposure could also trigger cancer.

Karnaphuli River under threat

Pollution and encroachment have also severely damaged the Karnaphuli. Researchers found microplastic particles, less than 5mm in size, in both surface water and sediment. 

These particles are entering the food chain through fish, crabs and snails.

In surface water, between 14 and 26 microplastic particles were found per cubic metre, while sediments contained between 75 and 272 particles per kilogramme. Six types of microplastics were detected, with fibrous particles being the most common.

Moreover, encroachment has narrowed the river drastically. 

At Bridge Ghat, its width has shrunk from 900 metres in 1990 to about 510 metres today, with over 2,500 illegal structures built along its banks.

Professor Md Iqbal Sarwar of the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Chittagong University, who was part of the research team, told TBS, "No single actor can solve this. Residents, enforcement agencies and political leaders must work together. City Corporation, CDA and WASA all need to coordinate. Waste management has serious gaps, and people must be made aware. We must also reduce plastic use."

Civil Surgeon Dr Jahangir Alam said, "Microplastics can cause skin diseases, respiratory complications and cancer. We must stop plastic from entering the Karnaphuli, as it is the city's main water source. Without proper waste management, future health risks will be severe."

Heavy metal pollution in farmland

Heavy metals are also contaminating farmland near Sitakunda shipbreaking yards. 

In 2021, researchers from Chittagong University analysed samples collected from 19 farmlands and found that the levels of lead, chromium, cadmium, copper, zinc, and nickel in the soil were far above the permissible limits.

The presence of these heavy metals has reduced soil microbial diversity and enzyme activity. Enzymes such as dehydrogenase, urease, acid phosphatase, and arylsulfatase were found to be the most affected. As a result, soil fertility has declined, lowering the land's capacity to produce crops.

Researchers have warned that controlling and regularly monitoring heavy metal pollution in the region is crucial to safeguarding farmland health and reducing environmental risks.

Speaking to TBS on the issues, Sonia Sultana, director of the Department of Environment's Chattogram office, said, "This cannot be handled by the DoE alone. Solid waste management is the city corporation's responsibility, while we monitor industrial waste."

"We impose fines, compensations, and even file cases when necessary. But manpower and laboratory limitations restrict us. The problem cannot be solved alone; we need coordinated efforts," she said.

Commander Ikhtiar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, chief waste management officer of Chattogram City Corporation, said, "We collect 2,200-2,400 tonnes of household waste daily. But as Chattogram is an industrial city, huge amounts of industrial waste are not collected and flow directly into the Karnaphuli. 

"Many residents also dump waste into drains or canals, worsening microplastic pollution. We are working to ensure 100% waste collection in the future."