Green activists here on Wednesday urged the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to properly control air pollution caused by dust in the capital, posing a severe threat to public health and environment.
They came up with the call at a human chain programme, organised by Poribesh Bachao Andolon (Poba), in front of the Fine Arts Institute of Dhaka University.
Poba general secretary Engr Abdus Sobhan, president of Puran Dhaka Nagorik Uddyog Nazim Uddin, Poba member Shamim Khan Titu, architect Shahin Aziz and Marshal Arts Foundation chairman Atiq Morshed and Modern Club president Abul Hasnat, among others, spoke at the human chain.
The speakers said dust pollution in the capital is forcing the households of modest expenditure to spend about Tk 4,000-10,000 a month on cleaning theirs clothes.
Besides, they said, the excessive use of additional water, detergent and electricity for the washing and ironing outfits are also adding up to the environment pollution.
Abdus Sobhan said dust pollution is not only increasing the expenditure for the washing, but also posing a serious health hazard to the city dwellers.
Dust pollution is one of the major sources of severe health complications, including lung cancer, bronchitis and asthma, he said.
Aiming to check dust pollution, the environmental activists demanded ensuring regular cleaning of streets; framing rules for mandatory covering of dusty construction materials during transportation and construction; import and use of standard fuel, and applying green technology in brick manufacturing.
