An analysis of the environmental threats posed by industry in Kocaeli, Turkey

Purpose – This paper has been produced to enumerate and discuss threats which are caused by industry and may affect health in the province of Kocaeli. Design/methodology/approach – Industries in the province, depending on their function, were grouped into sectors. Air, water and solid waste pollutants produced by each sector were assessed for each region of the province. Findings – Of the 7,400 industries in the province, only 1,198 are registered with the Kocaeli Chamber of Industry and of this number only a minority are subject to controls by the Ministry of the Environment through the Kocaeli Provincial Directorate of the Environment (KPDE). Data on pollutants were obtained from the KPDE. Liquid waste was controlled in 370 firms (5 per cent) of all industries in the province, air quality in 444 (6 per cent) and dangerous waste in 4 (0.06 per cent). A total of 41 firms were designated as having dangerous pollution profiles. Practical implications – These figures suggest that industrial development in the province of Kocaeli has not been accompanied by adequate environmental protection. Stricter control for present and future industries is urgently required. Attention must also be directed at zoning industrial and residential areas to safeguard human health and the environment. Originality/value – Provides information on environmental threats caused by industry in Turkey.