Air pollution claims thousands of children in Bangladesh

Bangladesh, which ranks among the world's most polluted countries, recorded over 19,000 deaths of children under five in 2021 due to air pollution--averaging nearly two deaths every hour--becoming a silent pandemic, a new study has revealed.

According to the report, child deaths caused by air pollution in Bangladesh and other least developed countries have reached alarming levels. Children in the least developed countries face a 94 times higher risk of dying from air pollution than those in developed nations. Researchers attribute this disparity to long-standing dependence on fossil fuels, pollution-reliant infrastructure, excessive fossil fuel use, and institutional inertia.

The study, conducted by the international research organization Zero Carbon Analytics (ZCA) and titled "Structural Dependencies Perpetuate Disproportionate Childhood Health Burden from Air Pollution," was released on Wednesday night.
"Air pollution is now the second leading cause of death among children under five worldwide, after malnutrition. More than a quarter of all deaths in this age group are linked to polluted air, with Bangladesh among the most severely affected countries," the report said.

Their findings show that emissions from industries, household activities, brick kilns, coal power plants, and vehicle exhaust are creating severe health risks for children in Bangladesh.

"Air pollution is one of the biggest threats to children's health in Bangladesh and across the world today. We know that exposure to polluted air contributes to respiratory diseases and other complications. Clean air is as essential as clean water. To ensure our children survive, grow up healthy, and thrive, we must take decisive action now to reduce air pollution," said Dr. Sajid Hossain Khan, a physician at the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest & Hospital.

Air pollution not only causes death but also leads to lifelong illnesses. This pattern demonstrates that fossil fuels are one of the greatest threats to overall health and well-being, and the solution is to progress towards a sustainable and just energy transition, with immediate and urgent climate policy and climate action.

Household and Brick Kiln Pollution Strangle Bangladeshi Children ZCA researchers analyzed air pollution in Bangladesh, South Africa, Brazil, and Nigeria. Rapid urbanization driven by climate migrants in major cities like Dhaka has made brick kiln-based construction a major source of pollution. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from these kilns significantly increases the risk of pneumonia among children under five.

Bangladesh also trails all other Asian countries in access to clean cooking technologies. Smoke from burning wood, dung, and coal is poisoning indoor environments, severely affecting pregnant women, newborns, and young children.

The report highlights that mothers using high-polluting fuels face a 2.6 times higher risk of giving birth to low-weight babies. Newborns in homes with polluted indoor air are four times more likely to die. Children aged 3 to 5 exposed to fumes from solid fuels face a 47% higher risk of delayed cognitive development.

Nigerian pediatrician Dr. Zainab Yaro said in the report, "One of the strongest vaccines we can give a child is clean air.

 Worldwide, air pollution silently robs children of the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive. When a child struggles to breathe, it is not just a health issue - it is a form of social and environmental injustice. Ensuring clean and safe air in children's homes and communities must be the top priority."

The report exposes a stark contrast between humanitarian loss and global investment. Between 2018 and 2022, the world spent an average of $593 billion per year on fossil fuel subsidies, yet less than one percent of this amount was allocated to combating air pollution.

Researchers note that this misallocation of capital strengthens pollution-based infrastructure and worsens children's health. Breaking this dependency requires transformative decisions integrating clean energy, development, and environmental justice.