A mobile court in Mymensingh demolished an illegal lead smelting factory and fined operators Tk 250,000 after residents reported pollution, toxic emissions and risks to public health.
Authorities in Mymensingh have shut down and demolished an illegal lead smelting factory that was operating without environmental clearance following complaints of serious pollution risks to nearby communities.
The enforcement drive was carried out on June 9 in the Chak Shyamrampur area of Mymensingh Sadar Upazila after local residents reported ongoing pollution, foul emissions and environmental degradation linked to the facility.
Led by Executive Magistrate Muhammad Sabbir Hossain, a mobile court found that the factory had been established and operated without mandatory environmental permits and regulatory approvals in violation of national environmental laws.
Officials said the unregulated industrial activity posed significant toxic exposure risks, particularly to nearby households and agricultural land. The plant was located close to a riverbank, raising additional concerns about possible contamination of water resources.
Lead is one of the world’s most hazardous toxic metals. Public health experts warn that exposure can cause severe neurological damage, developmental disorders in children, kidney disease and long-term cardiovascular complications. The World Health Organization identifies lead exposure as a major environmental health threat, especially in countries where informal recycling and smelting operations remain widespread.
Authorities filed two cases under the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, 1995 (amended in 2010). Two individuals were fined a total of Tk 250,000 for operating an industrial facility without environmental clearance. Equipment used in the smelting process was seized and the temporary structure was dismantled on site.
Officials said the operation generated hazardous waste and lead residues that could contaminate surrounding soil and water systems, potentially affecting communities that depend on river resources for fishing, agriculture and daily use.
“We cannot allow any industrial activity to continue outside the law when it puts public health at risk,” an official involved in the operation said, adding that regular monitoring drives against illegal and high-risk industries will continue.
Local residents said they had been worried for months about smoke, odour and possible health effects.
“We did not know exactly what was being burned, but it made us afraid for our children,” said a resident of the area.
Environmental activists and public health experts in Bangladesh have long warned about the dangers of unregulated lead recycling and smelting operations, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas where oversight is limited. Such facilities often lack pollution control systems, increasing the risks of air, soil and water contamination.
The case also highlights the growing role of community reporting in triggering environmental enforcement. In this instance, residents’ complaints directly led to an investigation and action, underscoring the importance of public participation in environmental protection.
Authorities said monitoring efforts will be strengthened to prevent similar illegal operations from re-emerging in the area. However, experts argue that sustained enforcement, transparency and stronger local-level regulation are needed to address the broader challenge of informal industrial pollution.
The crackdown reflects increasing efforts by Bangladeshi authorities to address hazardous industrial activity at a time when rapid industrialisation continues to place pressure on environmental governance systems.
“This action reflects the importance of strong environmental enforcement and community-led reporting in protecting public health. Illegal and unregulated industrial activities such as lead smelting must not be allowed to continue because they directly threaten ecosystems, water safety and the right to a healthy life,” said Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global.
As Bangladesh faces growing challenges linked to industrial pollution and public health risks, the case serves as a reminder that stronger enforcement, community vigilance and long-term regulatory reform will be essential to protect both people and ecosystems.
