Cement factories root cause of respiratory disorders in Khrew
While local population of Khrew town has been long complaining about unabated pollution caused by cement factories, doctors in Primary Health Unit (PHU) Khrew have warned of increase in respiratory disorders in the area.
Doctors said out of total patients examined in OPD daily, 25 per cent of patients on an average were being treated for respiratory disorders.Khurshid Ahmed, a senior doctor in the PHU said, the respiratory disorders in the local population can be attributed to smoking, chewing of tobacco etc, but a good percentage of cases are such which have been directly affected by pollution caused by cement factories.
“The number may increase incase government fails to check the pollution emanating from the cement factories in the region,” he added.
According to Dr Khurshid, People of this town are more prone to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD).
“The people who are suffering from minor lung ailments are at greater risk to fall prey to COPD due the pollution from these factories. The people in the area are constantly inhaling air which is full of toxic particles coming out from cement factories,” he said.
Locals said construction of more cement factories in the town has generated fear among locals as they think that government is giving priority to corporate interest over public welfare.
Locals also alleged that these factories were involved in illegal mining and have occupied the land much more than they have been actually allotted under rules.
“Since these factories have been running here for more than two decades, the most of the people of this locality and of adjacent areas have developed Allergic Bronchitis,” said Dr Khurshid.
He further added that small children are more prone to diseases here as their metabolic system is weak, so the owners should either use eco-friendly ways for running their plants or government should wind them up in case they fail to do so.
Experts said authority must intervene and check the pollution level in these factories on monthly basis and see whether pollution control devices are functioning properly there.
It is pertinent to mention, the lone government hospital in the area lies in the close vicinity of the cement factories and doctors there believe that the pollution caused by the cement factories affects the patient care and government should solve this matter as soon as possible.
