Dhaka: A 14-year-old boy named Nahid, who should be spending his time in school or on the playground, is instead working as a helper for a human hauler, commonly known as a tempo, to make ends meet. Nahid spends long hours on the Jatrabari-Demra road, exposed to dust, air, and sound pollution. Recently, Nahid missed work due to health issues; after a medical check-up, he was diagnosed with breathing and coughing difficulties, which doctors attribute to prolonged exposure to excessive dust.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Reshma, a 39-year-old widow working in a tobacco factory in Khulna, suffers from frequent illnesses due to the toxic environment. The smell of tobacco and tobacco powder dust causes her daily struggles with asthma and shortness of breath. Reshma, who took the job out of necessity after her husband’s death, expressed despair over her situation, saying, “I am waiting for death.”
Similarly to Nahid and Reshma, countless women and children across the country are victims of air pollution, whether at work or on the streets. Experts warn that while air pollution affects people of all ages, women and children are the most vulnerable. They point to industrial and vehicular emissions, along with rapid population growth and urbanization, as major contributors to air pollution.
Air pollution, caused by mixing harmful substances in the air, not only leads to health problems but also depletes environmental resources. The thinning of the ozone layer is one of the adverse effects, contributing to global climate change.
A report by the World Bank titled “Breathing Heavy: New Evidence on Air Pollution and Health in Bangladesh” estimates that around 80,000 people die annually in the country due to high levels of air pollution. The report highlights the vulnerability of the human respiratory system, which faces complications like shortness of breath and coughing.
Experts estimate that air pollution results in a 3.9 to 4.4 percent annual loss of GDP. The physical and mental health of people in cities like Dhaka and Sylhet is severely impacted by outdoor air pollution. Dhaka is ranked among the most polluted cities globally, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 269 ppm, indicating ‘unhealthy’ air. Wuhan, China, and New Delhi, India, follow with AQIs of 252 and 214, respectively.
Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, lead, ozone, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and other gases are major air pollutants. Air pollution is exacerbated by waste, dust, dirt, and factory smoke, leading to various respiratory infections.
Dr. Md. Mozaherul Haque, Regional Advisor for South East Asia of the World Health Organization, offered solutions to address the air pollution crisis. He emphasized the importance of proper waste management to prevent diseases, as waste pollution contributes to air contamination. Dr. Haque suggested removing waste before dawn and sealing open sewerage systems to mitigate health risks.
He also highlighted the need to balance development with environmental health, noting that dust pollution from air pollution can be easily controlled. He proposed reviving the practice of using municipal vehicles to spray water on roads, which could help manage dust and improve air quality.