Air pollution kills more than 100,000 people yearly in Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, air pollution causes the premature deaths of 12,456 people each year, including 5,258 children. For the same reason, 900,000 mothers give birth prematurely every year and about 700,000 babies are born with low birth weight.
Each year, 670,000 patients visit the emergency department for this issue, leading to a total of 263 million lost workdays. This information has emerged from a study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).
The study was released at a joint press conference of CREA and Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies – CAPS at the National Press Club on January 30 in a discussion titled ‘Public Health Impact of Fine Particulate Air Pollution in Bangladesh’.
The research report said that Bangladesh has been ranked among the world’s top polluted countries in 2023. The annual standard for fine sand particles in the air is 79.9 micrograms per cubic meter, more than double the national standard of 35 micrograms.
Higher healthcare costs and reduced productivity are leading to a decline in productivity. Overall, these costs were US$11 billion in 2019. This is about 5 percent of Bangladesh’s GDP.
In addition, this is 15 times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) standard of 5 micrograms. Such extreme air pollution is causing inevitable consequences on public health. The study found that children under 5 are experiencing the most harmful effects from various complex diseases.
In 2022, the government increased the dust particle limit from 15 to 35 micrograms per cubic meter due to air pollution concerns. Researchers believe this decision has worsened air quality and raised serious concerns.
CRECA’s analysis shows that even if it is possible to meet Bangladesh’s national air quality standard (35 micrograms per cubic meter), it can have a major impact. This could reduce mortality by 19 percent, life expectancy by 21 percent, and years lived with disability by 12 percent.
Achieving the WHO’s 2021 air quality guideline of 5 micrograms per cubic meter could reduce mortality by 79 percent. This would save 81,282 lives each year.
Nearly all emergency visits for asthma, breathing issues, premature births, and 263 million sick days each year could be prevented.
