Polluted Air A Major Concern
Bangladesh has been experiencing high levels of air pollution in the last couple of years which has led to a significant impact on people’s health. As per a Health Report, air pollution has become the 2nd leading health risk factor after high blood pressure in our country. According to a Air Quality Study, Bangladesh was among the top 10 countries with the highest outdoor PM 2.5 (particulate matter) levels in 2019. Country’s air is becoming increasingly poisonous in the absence of effective measures to control the release of pollutants.
As a result, the number of lung patients has been on the quick rise. Asthma is noticeably present in people aged under 8 and over 45. Mothers and children are chronically exposed to very high levels of air pollution. The threat of non-communicable diseases including chronic respiratory and cardiovascular illness is rising sharply.
In Bangladesh, people suffer from the worst air quality in the months of November, December, January and February. As it has been a growing tension, the concerned authority needs urgent and sustained action to initiate comprehensive focus on reducing air pollution in order to afford clean air for country dwellers.
Wares Ali Khan
Sadar, Narsingdi
Ban Polythene
Polythene is one of the main causes of environmental pollution. It is a product that does not mix with soil even after 500 years. Today, Polythene is poisoning rivers, canals, seas and oceans day after day.
Bangladesh was able to take a timely step to curb this rampant polythene epidemic. Bangladesh is the first country in the world to ban the production, marketing and use of polythene by enacting a law on March 1, 2002.
The government passed another law in 2010 to use jute instead of polythene. The law was such as ‘Compulsory Use of Jute Wrapping in Products Act-2010’. The law also banned polythene to use in 11 products. But due to lack of enforcement, use of poly products is still rampant in the market.
The use of eco-friendly jute should be increased and people should be encouraged not to use polythene. Considering the overall situation, the Polythene Prohibition Act must be implemented in no time.
Jakariya Al Hosain
Student, Nilphamari Government College
