Dhaka: The environment department (DoE) advised people of Dhaka and its neighbourhood to mandatorily wear facemask outside homes as its air quality index (AQI) reached very unhealthy level at 10:00 AM today, an official release said. The department also urged sensitive persons (ill persons, elderly and kids) to not go outside homes without very emergency.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the AQI sometimes reaches vulnerable situations from unhealthy stages in the capital city Dhaka and its neighbouring areas during this dry season as the air quality index is changing every hour. The DoE highlighted the importance of taking precautions to mitigate health risks associated with exposure to poor air quality.
The advisory emphasized the necessity of masks as a preventive measure, particularly as air quality can deteriorate rapidly. The department's release noted that the AQI is regularly being revealed through the information of the air quality monitoring center of DoE on their website (https://doe.portal.gov.bd/), allowing residents to stay informed about air quality levels.
This ongoing issue with air quality is part of a broader environmental challenge facing urban areas, particularly during dry seasons when pollutants can accumulate in the atmosphere, posing health risks to the population.