Hi my fellow Ambassadors. Writing for eco-gen for the first time. Though i am not good at writing, tried to highlight some alarming facts regarding brick manufacturing process. 

For building infrastructures, there is no alternative of bricks. It plays a vital role for the economic development of a developing country. But the manufacturing process of bricks emit toxic materials which pollutes the air and its very hazardous for health. It contains suspended particulate matters rich in carbon particles and high concentration of carbon monoxides and oxides of sulphur that are harmful to eyes, lungs and throats.

Many unauthorized brick fields in different parts of Bangladesh are using firewood for burning bricks. They are collecting this firewood from forests. These forests are under threat of losing the environmental and ecological balance. Under the established laws, the owners of brick fields are to pay license fees, VAT and land development tax at the commercial rate, but the government is being deprived of such taxes due to the unauthorized manufacturing of bricks.

Under the brick burning control ordinance of 1992, the use of firewood in kilns of bricks fields is prohibited. But many brickfield owners in Bangladesh are burning bricks with firewood. As a result, a large number of trees are being felled indiscriminately in different districts. The dishonest brickfield owners collect the firewood from different forests with the help of their agents.

According to Sarath K. et al, 2012, The total emissions from the brick kilns located in the six districts are estimated at 33,100 t of PM₁₀, 23,300 t of PM_2.5, 15,500 t of SO₂, 16,100 t of NO_x, 302,000 t of CO, and 6,000 t of BC per year.

Emissions from brickfields puts harmful affect on Coconut trees, mango trees and mustard seeds. Crops are also affected by the tons of smoke coming out of the chimneys. Experts say that brick kilns are emitting harmful particulate matter (PM) into the air which cause numerous respiratory ailment.

Despite the existence of laws, many of around 11,100 brickfields across the country are still running in the medieval way, using firewood to burn bricks. Many other brickfields are just running without permission of the authorities including the Department of Environment (DoE).

Despite the importance of brick-making in a way that ensures an emission control, a large number of kilns use outdated and energy-intensive technologies highly polluting the environment. The authorities concerned are carrying out programmes to promote environment-friendly methods of brick manufacturing. The initiative has so far proved a success, since many owners have started turning to the environment-friendly methods.

Currently, the use of bricks has remained steady, at around seven to nine billion a year, down from the 15 billion used annually during the early 1900s. In an effort to increase the demand, the brick industry continues to explore alternative markets and improve quality and productivity. Fuel efficiency has also improved, and by 2025 the brick manufacturers may be firing their bricks with solar energy. However, such a technological advancement will occur only if there is still a demand for bricks. We need a safe and pollution-free environment for our posterity. Immediate action is needed to stop all kinds of pollution.

Photo Courtesy: Dhaka Tribune