Brickfields and the threats to environment Published : Saturday, 01 June 2013 Mohammad Anisur Rahaman Nobody can deny the necessity of bricks for economic development of a country. The term 'brick' refers to small units of a building material, often made from fired clay and secured with mortar, a bonding agent comprising cement, sand and water. Long deemed a popular material, bricks retain heat, withstand corrosion and resist fire. The bricks small in size- usually four inches wide and twice as long-are an ideal material for building structures. Moreover, with minimal upkeep, brick buildings generally last a long time. Brick making improvements have continued into the twentieth century. Improvements include rendering the brick shape absolutely uniform, lessening weight and speeding up the firing process. In other techniques holes are made there that will later expedite the firing process by exposing a larger surface area to heat. The emission of toxic elements from brick kilns is causing serious health hazards. The brick kilns spew poisonous and contaminated vapour containing 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. These air pollutants inhibit the mental and physical growth of children. The growing number of brick fields not only affect mental and physical health but also the toxic exhaust of brick fields affects crops and plants in the areas adjacent to brick fields. Deforestation and loss of fertility of farm lands are caused by the brick burning. It is important to note that the major air pollutants are vehicles (55.8 per cent), followed by the brick manufacturing industry (28.8 per cent). And the primary source of NOx (nitrogen