Bangladesh authorities shut an illegal lead-processing factory in Shariatpur, jailing six operators for burning used batteries to extract toxic lead, a practice that polluted air, soil and water nearby communities.
Authorities in Bangladesh’s Shariatpur district have shut down an illegal lead-processing factory and sentenced six people to jail for producing toxic lead by burning used batteries.
The mobile court conducted the drive on Wednesday in Mahishkandi village under Bhedarganj upazila after receiving complaints that the factory had been operating illegally and polluting the surrounding environment.
During the raid, officials discovered that discarded batteries were being burned to extract lead, a hazardous process that releases toxic fumes and contaminates the air, soil and nearby water sources.
The mobile court found six individuals responsible for operating the illegal facility and convicted them under the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995. Each was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment and fined Tk100,000 (around $900). Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional one month of imprisonment.
The drive was led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate K. M. Rafsan Rabbi, who said the factory’s activities posed serious risks to both the environment and public health.
“The illegal processing of batteries to extract lead is extremely dangerous. It pollutes the environment and exposes nearby residents to severe health hazards. The district administration will continue such drives to stop these activities,” he said.
Officials from the Department of Environment (DoE) Shariatpur district office, Bangladesh Police and the Fire Service and Civil Defence assisted in the operation.
Environmental and public health experts warn that lead exposure can cause severe long-term health effects, particularly among children, including neurological damage, developmental delays and damage to vital organs.
Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global, welcomed the enforcement action but stressed the need for stronger monitoring and systemic solutions.
“Illegal lead recycling from used batteries is one of the most dangerous forms of pollution because it contaminates air, soil and water while silently poisoning communities, especially children. The government must strengthen monitoring and permanently shut down such facilities while promoting safe and formal recycling systems,” he said.
Informal battery recycling is widely recognized as a major source of lead pollution in many developing countries, posing significant environmental and health risks to nearby communities.
Local residents said the illegal activity had been taking place in the Mahishkandi area for a long time. Despite repeated complaints, the factory continued operating until the recent intervention by authorities.
Authorities warned that strict action will continue against illegal lead recycling operations to protect public health and the environment.
