Anaya Rahman, a five-old girl, went to the Dhaka International Trade Fair with her parents on January 10. They had a lot of fun there. But after returning home, Anaya noticed that she had a runny nose. She was coughing. She also had a slight burning sensation in her eyes. Her parents understood that Anaya's such condition is due to air pollution and dust.
Anaya's father Hasibur Rahman said, "Air pollution in Dhaka has increased to the point where breathing has become difficult.
We are not just breathing; we also invite the danger into our body."
Not only Anaya, but many children like her, people of all ages are getting sick every day due to air pollution.
Experts and doctors say that pollution is increasing all over the world. And among this pollution, air pollution has the significant impact in public health, causing many life-threatening diseases.
Abul Hayat Manik, a doctor at the Department of Medicine at Tangail Medical College Hospital, told the Daily Observer that although Dhaka's air pollution increases every year especially during the winter due to geographical reasons. But the amount of pollution in the capital has gone up well before the start of winter this year, and it often ranks first among cities in the world in terms of pollution.
Air quality in Bangladesh usually becomes unhealthy during winter and improves slightly during the rainy season. The main sources of air pollution in Dhaka are brick kilns, vehicle exhaust, construction site dust, waste burning and trans-boundary air pollution, he added.
Dr Be-Nazir Ahmed, a public health expert and former director of Disease Control at the Directorate General of Health Services, told Daily Observer that air pollution is not only causing minor issues like cough and sore throat, but also leading to many serious health problems. It increases respiratory issues and can lead to various lung diseases. Additionally, air pollution harms the kidneys and can affect blood pressure, reproductive health, eyes, and lungs. It can also be a cause of cancer and heart disease.
The State of Global Air 2024 reports said that air pollution accounted for 8.1 million deaths globally in 2021, becoming the second leading risk factor for death, including for children under the age of five years. Of the total deaths, noncommunicable diseases including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) account for nearly 90% of the disease burden from air pollution.
It also said that air pollution is responsible for 28% of deaths from ischemic heart disease, 30% of deaths from lower respiratory infections and 48% of deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Deputy Director of Dhaka's 250 bedded TB Hospital Dr Ayesha Akther told Daily Observer that breathing polluted air makes people sick. When you inhale polluted air, harmful substances get into your lungs and then into your blood. From there, they can reach your heart, brain, and other organs. Pollution can even affect an unborn baby. It causes inflammation in the lungs and other parts of the body, leading to many deaths.
Public health specialist Dr Zakia Ferdausi Khanam told Daily Observer that air pollution doesn't affect everyone the same way.
People in poorer areas are more affected, and most deaths happen to young children and older adults. This is because of different levels of pollution exposure and factors like health, income, and access to healthcare. Sometimes, pollution causes problems that show up quickly, but most health issues build up over time.
Experts and doctors say that Dhaka, once known for its vibrant culture, is now increasingly recognized for its hazardous air quality. A toxic cocktail of pollutants hangs over the city, posing a serious threat to the health and well-being of its residents.
The city's rapid industrialization, burgeoning population, and heavy reliance on fossil fuels have created a perfect storm for air pollution. Vehicle emissions, industrial discharges, construction dust, and the burning of biomass all contribute to the city's increasingly polluted atmosphere, they said.
According to report of the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), air pollution in Bangladesh causes the premature deaths of 102,456 people annually, including 5,258 children. It also leads to 900,000 preterm births and approximately 700,000 low-birth-weight babies each year. Additionally, 670,000 patients are admitted to emergency departments annually due to air pollution-related health issues, collectively resulting in the loss of 263 million workdays per year.
The research report stated that in 2023, Bangladesh ranked as the most polluted country in the world, with an annual average of 79.9 micrograms of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) per cubic meter-more than double the national standard of 35 micrograms and 15 times higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO) guideline of 5 micrograms.
The high level of air pollution has led to increased healthcare costs and decreased productivity. In 2019, the total cost associated with these factors amounted to $11 billion, approximately 5% of Bangladesh's GDP.
According to the Air Quality Life Index 2024 report, air pollution has reduced global average life expectancy by 2.7 years, and in Bangladesh it has reduced life expectancy by 4.8 years.
Addressing this crisis requires a multi-pronged approach; the experts and doctors said that the government needs to take more effective steps to reduce air pollution. Tough actions should be taken against the polluters if necessary.
They also said that promoting green public transportation, implementing stricter emission standards, increasing green spaces, and transitioning to renewable energy sources can be crucial steps. Raising public awareness about the dangers of air pollution is equally important to improve air quality.
