The Bangladeshi Department of Environment (DoE) has fined MI Cement Factory, popularly known as Crown Cement, BDT1.5m (US$18,331) for air pollution.

DoE director (enforcement) Munir Chowdhury fined the managing director of the cement factory at Muktarpur in Munshiganj district on Tuesday. The factory was also asked to control air pollution within a week.

DoE media statement said a team led by Munir found 1113m3 of sulphur-dioxide and 2727m3 of suspended particulate matter in the air of the factory and adjacent area though their permissible levels are 80m3 and 200m3, respectively.