Gazipur district is at the top of air pollution among 64 districts of Bangladesh: Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS)
Nowadays, Environmental pollution is one of the most talked-about issues worldwide. Various types of environmental pollution such as water pollution, air pollution, soil pollution make the living of people harder than ever.
Our country is one of the worst sufferers of various types of pollution. One of the most concerning environmental degradation in our country is air pollution.
Due to unplanned development and environmental disasters, air pollution rises across the country. According to a study by the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), the Gazipur district is at the top of air pollution among 64 districts of Bangladesh. Comparatively, the slightest air polluted district in Madaripur.
The founder of CAPS informed that the Stamford Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) reviews the air quality of 64 districts scientifically. The study shows that in 2021, the average particulate matter of 3,163 places in 64 districts of Bangladesh was 102.41 micrograms per cubic meter. This amount is about 1.57 times the daily standard (65 micrograms).
According to the observation, out of 64 districts, the Gazipur district stood the highest pollution level at 263.51 micrograms per cubic mete of air. After Gazipur, the neighboring district Dhaka is in the second position, and Narayanganj is in the third position with an air volume of 252.93 and 222.45 micrograms, respectively.
The air quality of the three most polluted cities was about four to five times higher than the standard of Bangladesh. Road digging and renovation, mega projects, nearby brickfields, thousands of small and large industries, black smoke from unfit vehicles, and garbage burning are significant causes of pollution in these three major cities.
According to the research, Habiganj, Noakhali, Tangail, Cox’s Bazar, Chandpur, Chattagram, and Kishoreganj are fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth positions, respectively.
On the other hand, Madaripur is among the least polluted cities, with an air volume of 49.08 micrograms per cubic meter, followed by Patuakhali and Meherpur.
The decrease in air pollution is that these areas have a lot of vegetation and natural reservoirs. Besides, road repair work in these areas is much less.
The highest air pollution based on the use of seven types of land was in the mixed area, with a value of 111.9 micrograms per cubic meter, followed by commercial (111.4 micrograms), road connectivity (110.8 micrograms), residential industry (106.7 micrograms) and sensitive areas (17.3 micrograms), respectively. The air found least polluted in Rural areas, 94.02 micrograms per cubic meter.
Out of 64 districts with good air quality (0-65 micrograms per cubic meter), only 10 (15.62%) districts have good air quality (below 65 micrograms per cubic meter). Those districts are:
- Kurigram (63.33 micrograms),
- Natore (63.19 micrograms),
- Joypurhat (58.24 micrograms),
- Rajbari (58.22 micrograms),
- Rajshahi (56.41 micrograms),
- Pabna (56.22 micrograms). ),
- Sirajganj (55.2 micrograms),
- Meherpur (53.37 micrograms),
- Patuakhali (51.42 micrograms) and,
- Madaripur (49.08 micrograms).
As these areas are geographically adjacent to the river, pollution is less. Research has shown that Rajshahi city authorities have a significant role in maintaining their good air.
From January 8 to April 7 in 2021, CAPS scientifically monitored the material quality of 3,163 locations based on land use in the district towns of 64 districts.
The study collected data from 64 districts. Based on the land type, the areas include:
- 531 sensitive areas (16.79%),
- 440 residential areas (13.91%),
- 407 mixed areas (12.87%),
- 575 commercial areas (18.18%),
- 358 road connectivity (11.32%),
- 432 industrial area (13.66%) and,
- 420 rural areas (13.28%).
Automatic air quality monitors collect data at these locations, then evaluate those data using SPss and ArcGIS software.
