Md. Polash Khan :
Bangladesh has one of the highest exposure levels to air pollution globally. Recently Dhaka ranked worst position in air quality. Air pollution has occurred both due to natural phenomenon such as wind-blown dust particles etc. and human activities. Vehicular emissions and industrial emissions are two main sources of air pollution.
The main components of air pollution are ambient particulate matter pollution, household air pollution, and smaller extent ozone in the troposphere (the lowest layer of the atmosphere). Coal-burning for thermal power production, industry emissions, brick kilns, construction activity, road dust, transport vehicles, residential and commercial biomass burning, waste burning, and agricultural stubble burning are the major ambient particulate matter pollution sources in Bangladesh.
Household air pollution is caused mainly by the residential burning of solid fuels for cooking and to some extent heating, the main types of wood, dung, agricultural residues, coal, and charcoal etc.
The other source of air pollution is the dust stirred up by construction activities and vehicles plying the roads, including the transportation of soil and sand.
Growing concerns over the poor air quality eventually prompted the judiciary to step in as the court ordered the authorities to spray water in dust-prone areas of the city twice a day in a bid to curb pollution. Spraying water alone will not improve the situation as the amount of dust increases during the dry season when there is also a shortage of water, said Masud Rana, a former adviser to the CASE project. Air pollution contributes substantially to premature mortality and disease burden globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 98 per cent cities of low- and middle-income countries do not meet the WHO air quality guidelines. However, in a study on the air quality standards of 3,000 cities in 103 countries, some major Bangladeshi cities like Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur, Chattogram, Barishal, Khulna and Sylhet were placed at the top of the list.
In general, air quality of these cities has a high impact on public health, increasing chances of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic and acute respiratory diseases, including asthma. Various diseases and the risk is aggravated by the deteriorating air quality during winter, according to experts.
Rising pollution levels increase the risk of respiratory diseases, said Prof ABM Abdullah, dean of the Department of Medicine at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.
In our capital and other cities, we face an increasing level of dust pollutants around us, which is gradually becoming a serious health hazard with other pollutants in the air. Brick kilns, solid waste, construction (road and building mainly), and transportation system should even be kept in mind in order that air pollution cannot occur.
A lack of coordination between different departments of the government is further hampering efforts to control air pollution, said a Department of Environment official.
The government’s initiative to reduce air pollution has been labelled ‘inadequate’ by Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon’s General Secretary Abu Naser.
However, to get a better response in city air quality management an integrated system has to be developed. We have many constructive policies, rules and regulations for air quality management, but very much unfortunate that we lack implementation of compliance and enforcement.
Usually, our policymakers take a conventional regulatory approach to the air control system. In Bangladesh, very few works have been done on air quality measurements. The government should strengthen vehicle emission standards, regulations and enforcement.
On a personal level, citizens also can help to reduce air pollution. For example, they can drive less or wisely (e.g. avoiding unnecessary driving, using fuel-efficient vehicles and public transports, walking, cycling, etc.), promote plantation (e.g. growing trees, gardening, etc.), and also ensure sustainable manner waste disposal.
We should Cover construction sites, phase out unfit and outdated vehicles, less sulphur-containing diesel usage, phase out burnt brick etc. With proper guidance, knowledge and motivation, the general public is often made a crucial part of air quality management.
(Md. Polash Khan, post-graduate student, Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University; Email: [email protected])
