The pollution caused by dust in the capital is forcing the households of modest expenditure to spend about Tk 4,000-10,000 a month on cleaning theirs clothes, said environment and citizen rights activists on Thursday. Besides, excessive use of additional water, detergent, electricity for the washing and ironing outfits are also adding up to the environment pollution, they said. The observation came at a human chain, organised by Poribesh Bachao Andolon (Poba) in front of Jatiya Pres Club. Speaking on the occasion, Poba joint general secretary M Abdus Sobhan said dust pollution in the capital is not only increasing the expenditure for the washing, it is also posing a serious health hazard to the city dwellers. Dust pollution is one of the major sources of severe health complications, including lung cancer, bronchitis and asthma, he said. The speakers demanded effective measures by the government to reduce dust pollution in the city that include ensuring regular cleaning of streets and framing rules for mandatory covering of dusty construction materials during the transportation and the construction. – UNB
