Chemical Contamination in the Kathgara Bazar Area, Bangladesh - 2026
Kathgara Bazar (or Kathgora Bazar) is located in Ashulia, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh, a major industrial and suburban area known for its garment factories. Sampling of environmental media was conducted across the Kathgara Bazar Area. PFAS contamination was detected in mainstream water, soil, and groundwater samples. These findings indicate substantial PFAS contamination in the tested samples, posing potential risks to human health. Analysis of various per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) revealed elevated concentrations of several compounds in the sample, with notable exceedances of the U.S. EPA's Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for drinking water. Perfluoro-n-octanoic acid (PFOA) was detected at 2.13 µg/L and 2.99 µg/L, significantly surpassing the regulatory limit of 0.004 µg/L. Similarly, perfluoro-1-octanesulfonate (PFOS) was measured at 2.78 µg/L, well above the EPA threshold of 0.004 µg/L. Other PFAS compounds, including perfluoro-1-octanesulfonamide (FOSA) at 3.18 µg/L, N-methylperfluoro-1-octanesulfonamide (N-MeFOSA-M) at 1.46 µg/L, and potassium perfluoro-1-hexanesulfonate (PFBS) at 1.02 µg/L, were present at relatively high concentrations, though not all currently have EPA-set limits. Perfluoro-n-decanoic acid (PFNA) was detected at 0.9 µg/L, exceeding the EPA limit of 0.01 µg/L, and perfluoro-n-hexanoic acid (PFHxA) and PFBA were found at 0.2 µg/L and 0.09 µg/L, respectively. These findings highlight substantial PFAS contamination in the tested sample, posing potential risks to human health and underscoring the urgency of remediation and regulatory enforcement. PFOA: 532.5- 747.5 times higher than MCL In this case, prolonged exposure to industrial pollution from nearby textile and garment factories is associated with a range of serious health concerns reported by community members. Residents experience allergies, breathing difficulties, skin irritation, rashes, and eyesight problems, consistent with regular exposure to polluted air, contaminated water, and chemical emissions. Beyond these immediate effects, long-term contact with hazardous substances raises concerns about chronic and life-threatening outcomes, including liver damage and an increased risk of kidney and testicular cancers, which are linked in scientific literature to exposure to certain industrial chemicals and heavy metals. These combined impacts highlight the cumulative health burden faced by communities living in close proximity to industrial zones and underline the need for systematic community-based health and environmental monitoring. According to the Open Supply Hub, nearby factories include Azmat Apparels Ltd., which is linked to Puma and Primark and is OEKO-TEX certified, and also connected to the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles. SDS Industries Ltd. is not included in the Open Supply Hub (OSH). Ayesha Clothing Company Ltd. (Palmal Group) is associated with Levi Strauss & Co., the ZDHC Foundation, Mango, H&M Group, BESTSELLER, Sainsbury’s, and GAP Inc. Grand Knitting Ltd, Meridien Apparels and Washing Plant (Pvt.) Ltd, Spartan Fashions Limited, and Yernitex Muslin Fashions Ltd are all not included in OSH. Natural Wool Wears Ltd is connected to the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles and the ZDHC Foundation. Alliance Knit Composite Ltd is linked to the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles, Fruit of the Loom, Kmart Australia, Target Australia, Better Cotton, and Matalan. Chantik Garments Ltd is connected to the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles and Better Cotton. Finally, Torque Fashions Ltd is associated with Next Plc, the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles, Better Cotton, and Matalan.
PFNA: 90 times higher than MCL
PFOS: 695 times higher than MCL
Basic Information
Case ID: 2026-004
Identification Number from Open Supply Hub (OS-ID): none
Affected Country: Bangladesh
Date of occurrence: 2025-06-01
Ecological Sector Risks concerned:
- Soil contamination
- Food contamination
- Water and freshwater pollution
- Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) (use or exposure or emission)
- Chemicals of concern (as defined in UNEP Chemicals in Products Programme) (use or exposure or emission)
- Health risks
Community Details
Name of community:
Kathgara Bazar Area
District of community:
Ashulia
Bangladesh
Known effects on communities:
Health Issues: Negative effects on health and environment, caused by chemical pollution are well documented.
Workers movement
No information about unions available.
No information about workers committees available.
Business Relations
Follow up
Known Reaction by Buyer(s):
Sources
Name of reporting organisation: Health and Environment Justice Support and ESDO
Source of information about the case:
Contributor: HEJ Support
- Last updated on .