Air pollution claims around 80,000 lives a year: WB

Air pollution is killing around 80,000 people every year in Bangladesh by causing respiratory problems as well as depression, and wiping out around 4 per cent of the country’s GDP. A World Bank study assessed the impacts of outdoor air pollution on physical and mental health in Dhaka and Sylhet divisions. Children under five years and elderly people with diabetes, heart or respiratory conditions, are most vulnerable.
In 2019, air pollution was the second largest cause of deaths and disability in Bangladesh and cost about 3.9 to 4.4 per cent of the country’s GDP. While air pollution levels within the country vary significantly, the report found that the concentration of fine particulate matter PM2.5 in all regions is significantly above the threshold set by the WHO Air Quality Guidelines (AQG). PM 2.5, which is basically dust and other matters generally smaller than 2.5 micrometres, is considered most hazardous to health. Being that small, the particles penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream.
According to the report, Dhaka is the most polluted division while Sylhet is the least polluted. Dhaka city ranked the second most polluted city in the world from 2018 to 2021. It has sites with major construction and persistent traffic and has the highest level of air pollution in the country. The second highest concentration of PM2.5 levels has been found near brick kilns in greater Dhaka, which is 136 per cent above the WHO AQG, equivalent to smoking 1.6 cigarettes per day. Incidence of lower respiratory tract infections was significantly higher among children living near major construction and traffic sites than elsewhere in the country.
Air pollution causes the climate to change, and climate change worsens the air quality. Over time, climate change and urbanisation will further intensify air pollution. The health sector needs to be well prepared to deal with the imminent health crisis arising from air pollution and climate change. Bangladesh has many environmental laws but the lack of implementation of those is the problem.