Coordinated efforts could reduce Dhaka’s air pollution

Mahpara Tahsin Taha
(A law student of NSU, Bangladesh)

Dhaka, Bangladesh’s highly crowded capital, has topped the list of cities with the worst air quality in the world. According to a report by Air Quality Index (AQI), a Swiss-based global air quality watchdog, Dhaka has been ranked first, second or third among the most polluted cities in the world for the past few days. Even under this situation, it did not implement the Ministry of Environment’s guidelines for air pollution prevention last year. The requirements involve:

• Using innovative technologies such as mini asphalt plants without sprinkling sand on bitumen.
• Using concrete or grass to replace roadside soil.
• Using vacuum sweeping trucks instead of road sweepers.
• Spraying water at least twice on major roads.

The initiative went hardly unnoticed.

Worldwide, air pollution is one of the leading causes of disability and mortality. According to several studies, breathing filthy air has increased the risk of heart disease, chronic respiratory disease, lung infection, and cancer.

Air pollution kills an estimated 60 million people globally each year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Stroke, heart disease, COPD, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections are the leading causes of death.

There are no official figures on the number of individuals affected by air pollution in Bangladesh. According to a study published in September last year by the Energy Policy Institute of the University of Chicago, Bangladesh’s average life expectancy has reduced by around five years and four months due to air pollution.

It has been decreasing for nearly seven years and seven months in Dhaka. The amount of PM2.5, the most harmful particle in the air, is 14 times greater than the World Health Organization’s recommended level.

Air pollution can cause lung problems, stomach problems, skin problems, asthma or allergy problems, eye problems, infections, pregnancy issues, and even cancer, in addition to shortness of breath. This pollution, however, has a particularly negative impact on youngsters.

Smoke from vehicles and factories, garbage from about 4 million stoves in slums, cooking smoke from kerosene and charcoal, brick kilns, dust and fumes from thousands of trucks and vehicles outside Dhaka, and dust from the road and various ongoing projects.

In addition to these, the air here is polluted due to cross-border air pollution. A cooperative study was undertaken last year by researchers from the Bangladesh Government’s Atomic Energy Center, Clarkson University in the United States, and the University of Rochester.

“The cross-border air movement is one of the reasons for the air pollution that is occurring in Bangladesh,” it stated. Dust from Iran’s Parched desert, Mongolia’s, and Afghanistan’s dissolves in the air.

Through western light pressure, dust-laden air enters India. Since November, toxic air has been entering Bangladesh. “Unplanned urbanization in Kolkata, Mumbai, Pakistan, and Dhaka, Bangladesh is causing significant traffic congestion and smog,” the paper continues.

A lot of dust and sand gets mingled in the air due to infrastructure work. As a result, the region’s atmosphere is being polluted by the cities. The majority of the vehicles on the road in Dhaka are inoperable. The number of vehicles that have expired has not decreased. As the vehicles’ components wear down, toxic fumes are released.

Developed countries are using the ‘control way’ to reduce pollution. They discard the old vehicles. Car fuels with sulfur levels below 50 are used in developed countries.

This figure is higher than 2000 in our country. They use high-grade gasoline. We don’t undertake proper car maintenance. As a result, our vehicles contribute significantly to pollution.

Alternative vehicles also help to reduce pollution. The tram runs on electricity. Metro-rail and electric vehicles emit fewer pollutants.

Construction activity has been going on in Bangladesh for a long time without concern for the norms and regulations. The cost of accessories is not included. Construction is more thoroughly covered in the developed world and takes less time.

The soil is kept on the side of the road, and roads are dug all year. They began to spread across the air. Pollution from clothing and industrial trash is also prevalent in this area.

It’s possible to regulate it with the help of cutting-edge technologies. Around Dhaka, there are many brickfields, which contribute significantly to pollution. Brickfields is rare in many countries. They build with cement bricks. Blocks are another option.

We have a higher level of indoor air pollution (indoor air pollution). Because we do not utilize healthy kitchens, we also use a lot of air pollution from our kitchens. Pollution will be reduced if we are aware of these issues. It’s necessary to start small. This will necessitate several actions on the part of the government.

According to the causes of air pollution, it is possible to reduce or prevent pollution. Some regulations, policies, and coordinated actions can help to reduce air pollution. Locally reducing air pollution in Dhaka will not be effective.

All countries must agree on regional activities to reduce cross-border air pollution for this to happen. Otherwise, it will pollute the air in any country in this region.

As a result, South and Central Asia countries must work together to prevent air pollution. The heads of government of these countries must work together to achieve this.