29 Most Toxic Places On Earth

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Hazaribagh, Bangladesh

Source: https://www.ctvnews.ca/

Tanneries where animal skins are processed to produce leather are located on about 25 hectares of land in and around Hazaribagh. About 95% of Bangladesh’s tanneries are in Hazaribagh, and the tanning industry is the primary source of work for the locals. Unfortunately, the tanneries practice outdated, inefficient, and hazardous processing methods, and almost all workers handle dangerous chemicals wearing no protective gear such as gloves and aprons. Workers and residents are exposed to harmful chemicals that can cause acid burns, body aches, dizziness, nausea, and rashes, as well as skin and respiratory diseases. Aside from adults, children also spend hours working in the tanneries despite UN laws protecting children from economic exploitation and work that is detrimental to their health or development.
Collectively, the tanneries dump 22,000 cubic liters of toxic waste into the Buriganga River, the locals’ main source of water. The river is so polluted, it is void of aquatic life. The surrounding streams, ponds, and canals are also contaminated, and the air is heavily polluted by trade recyclers who burn scraps of leather to produce other consumer products.