Chimney Kilns in Bangladesh

July 22, 2011

Pollution in Bangladesh - EPOD (2) 
Photographer: Ariful H. Bhuiyan; Ariful's website
Summary Author: Ariful H. Bhuiyan; Jim Foster

The photo above featuring a field of cylindrical chimneys used in making bricks, fronted by the Buriganga River, was taken in KeraniganjBangladesh. Contaminated air and water are a constant in this region of Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, as in many Asian countries, brick manufacturing is a cottage industry. The basics of brick making haven't changed much over the centuries. Clay bricks are made by hand, dried, fired and then cooled. Kilns are used in the firing process. Chimney kilns improve the airflow and burn fuel more completely, but because most use low-grade coal and firewood as fuel, air pollution has become a serious issue and a major health concern. The chimney stacks shown here are about 100 ft (30 m) tall. Photo taken on February 11, 2011.

Photo details: Camera Maker: Canon; Camera Model: Canon EOS 7D; Focal Length: 85mm; Aperture: f/7.1; Exposure Time: 0.0040 s (1/250); ISO equiv: 100; Exposure Bias: -0.67 EV; White Balance: Auto; Flash Fired: No (enforced); Orientation: Normal; Color Space: sRGB.