Chemical experts on Thursday emphasised on ensuring integrated chemical management in the country for a safe and sustainable growth of industries.
They were speaking at a seminar on ‘chemical safety and management: Bangladesh perspective.’
The Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and CEMS Global jointly organised the event at the International Convention City at Bashundhara in Dhaka.
‘Integrated chemical management is necessary for ensuring safe dealings of chemicals from their productions to recycling,’ said Syeda Sultana Razia, professor of the chemical engineering department at BUET.
She said, ‘The necessity of having a policy for integrated chemical management is felt more than ever before as the use of hazardous chemical in the country’s industries is growing rapidly.’
She made the comments while presenting the keynote. According to the presentation, about 70 per cent of the chemicals required for industrial use were imported.
Razia urged the government to ensure that chemicals were not stored in residential areas
and that their transportations were safe.
‘We have to understand that spending means spending for profit,’ said Razia.
Her paper also highlighted that the number of chemical-related accidents had risen in 2016.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers’ and Exporters’ Association senior vice-president Faruque Hasan said that chemical management was one of the major challenges faced by the readymade garment industry.
ACI Formulations DGM Sultan Salahuddin, former acting president of Bangladesh Chemical Society Abul Basher Miah, and BUET assistant professor Yasir Arafat Khan also attended the seminar.
