Dhaka:The Khalpar area in Uttara has been identified as the most polluted location along a monitored bus corridor in the city, with a PM2.5 concentration of 144 micrograms per cubic metre. In stark contrast, Nikunja emerged as the least polluted area, with PM2.5 levels recorded at or below 35 micrograms per cubic metre.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the findings were part of a study conducted by the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) and the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB). The study, titled 'Traffic-Induced Air Pollution and Consumer Exposure in Dhaka City,' focused on air pollution inside a public bus on the Jatrabari-Uttara route, passing through areas such as Malibagh, Rampura, Notun Bazar, and the Airport.
The research highlighted the exposure of commuters, transport workers, and traffic police to unhealthy environmental conditions due to vehicle emissions and road dust. Air pollution on the route was found to exceed national standards, with PM2.5 levels ranging from 83.7 to 131.8 micrograms per cubic metre, surpassing Bangladesh's standard of 65 micrograms. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels also exceeded national limits, ranging from 102 to 151.3 micrograms per cubic metre, against a standard of 80 micrograms.
Gabtoli recorded the highest PM2.5 concentration at 131.8 micrograms, followed by Abdullahpur at 122 micrograms. Both locations also surpassed the national standard for PM10 levels. The study attributed pollution to intercity bus movements, night-time truck traffic, and road dust.
Night-time pollution was particularly concerning for roadside workers, with the highest PM2.5 concentrations recorded during the 1000 pm to 600 am shift at six of the nine monitoring stations. The study assessed occupational health and safety in the transport sector, revealing that eight out of ten surveyed bus operators received Red cards for failing to meet safety standards.
CAPS and CAB have proposed several measures to combat traffic-related air pollution in Dhaka. Recommendations include phasing out outdated diesel buses and trucks, implementing annual vehicle fitness and emission tests, and transitioning to electric or CNG-powered buses. Other suggestions involve introducing automated road-sweeping systems and mandatory water-spraying at high-risk areas.
The organisations also called for providing N95 or KN95 respirators to traffic police and bus crews, rotating duties, setting up air-filtered rest shelters, and arranging health examinations for workers exposed to pollution. They suggested reorganising bus corridors to reduce congestion and installing air quality and noise monitoring sensors to provide real-time data for better traffic management and public health advisories.