Clicky
Editorial

Dhaka’s deteriorating air quality

Citizens to suffer from myriad diseases


Bangladeshpost
Published : 20 Nov 2019 07:07 PM | Updated : 06 Sep 2020 07:12 PM

The capital city of Bangladesh has been ranked the worst in the Air Quality Index (AQI) for the third consecutive time. According to experts, when the AQI value is between 201 and 300, every city dweller may begin to experience health effects. Reportedly, Dhaka had a score of 252 on Tuesday.

In Dhaka, with every breath we take, we inhale a number of toxic matters. The construction of the fastest growing megacity coupled with mismanagement is the reason why city dwellers have to suffer from air pollution throughout the year. But certainly in winter the situation deteriorates and already with the advent of winter, air pollution has started to take a turn over to jeopardize the public health.

Dhaka’s air is highly polluted mainly due to brick kilns, unfit vehicles and unusual growth of dust from construction works, rundown roads which are taking heavy toll on the public health. Air pollution used to take nearly 8,000 lives a year just three years back, now it causes death to more than 1 lakh people every year. Also the current level of air pollution is responsible for the rise of various diseases like lung infection, cancer, respiratory problems etc.


Improvements in energy 

efficiency, increased use of less-or 

non-polluting renewable sources

 of energy are examples of

 measures that will benefit both air 

quality and the climate


It is not only people that suffer. Air pollution also damages nature and biodiversity. Clean air and water, healthy forests and a rich flora and fauna are necessary for a high quality of life, and must not be overlooked by policy makers just because they are difficult to value in monetary terms.

Improvements in energy efficiency, increased use of less-or non-polluting renewable sources of energy are examples of measures that will benefit both air quality and the climate. We, therefore, feel that all the city authorities including of the two city corporations should devise appropriate plans, ensure good governance and strictly enforce laws to reduce extreme pollution in Dhaka. It’s time for the policymakers to understand and underscore the need for formulating new policies to improve Dhaka’s toxic air.