For years now, Dhaka has been making world headlines, but for all the wrong reasons. Seemingly, it is continually competing for the dubious distinction of being the world's most polluted city. Were air pollution an Olympic event, no doubt Bangladesh would be standing on the winners' podium and the nation back home on its feet cheering and giving rapturous applause for its unique "achievement". But pollution is not a sport, not something to be applauded, or sanctified, and its human cost is heavy.
The toxic air that permeates and engulfs the city is a silent killer that claims lives daily and damages countless more. According to a recent report from the US-based Health Effects Institute, exposure to air pollution contributed to the deaths of 8.1 million people - around 12 per cent of all fatalities - in 2021. This means air pollution has overtaken tobacco use and poor diet to become the second leading risk factor leading to health complications and early death, behind only high blood pressure, the report said.
Children are particularly vulnerable to its ill effects and sending them outside to play and fill their lungs with fresh air is a thing of the past. Not just in Dhaka, but many cities worldwide. According to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) annual State of Global Air report in 2021, air pollution contributed to the deaths of more than 700,000 children under the age of five. This means every year nearly 2,000 children die because of health impacts linked to air pollution.
On Tuesday morning, Dhaka's air quality was ranked as the worst in the world, and the Department of Environment has advised elderly people not to go outdoors until it is absolutely necessary. Commuters were also advised to wear mask. Airborne pollutants like PM2.5, invisible to the eye, but lethal, are responsible for a myriad of health issues from eye ailments and lung cancer to heart disease. Despite these alarming facts, the response of authorities - including that of Bangladesh governmemt - is not only inadequate, but also appalling. Their inaction affects the next generation.
While Dhaka's Air Quality Index (AQI) remains unhealthy most of the time, it reaches alarming heights during the dry season due to high levels of carbon compounds, lead, and various particulate matters. Toxic fumes from multiple sources plague the city, exacerbating air pollution to alarming levels. Poorly managed traffic systems, gridlocked vehicles emitting toxic exhaust for extended periods, ongoing constructions, and nearby brick kilns are among the primary culprits. Many pollution prevention laws are already in place, but are not enforced, which is the same as not having them.
Construction sites are also a major source of air pollution in Dhaka. To mitigate dust pollution, High Court in 2019 asked the Department of Environment and City authorities to ensure that construction companies cover their sites and apply water to keep the soil damp. They were also asked to make sure that trucks or other vehicles carrying sand or soil in capital are properly covered. Regrettably, in most cases this directive is seen ignored blatantly.
In some parts of Dhaka dust and dirt raised by road diggings; the dumping of solid waste, and construction materials left on the streets, make it near to impossible to breathe. The elderly and children endure untold suffering. Asthma and other respiratory ailments are at all-time high.
Meanwhile, sound pollution also exceeds permissible limits. Water pollution in the rivers around the city also beggars description. It has reached such a level that now only few aquatic animals can live in the toxic rivers. Overall, pollution of all possible forms has been prevalent and ignored for years, making the city increasingly unlivable.
This problem, however, is not exclusive to Bangladesh; it's global. Nearly half the world's population breathes toxic air - some worse than others. Bangladesh, therefore, should not try to reinvent the wheel but learn from and adopt the best practices from other nations. Bangladesh must first face facts. It needs to be admitted that there's a problem and accept it as a formidable challenge. Cities like New York, Beijing, and London have implemented measures to improve air quality, and Dhaka can replicate successful global initiatives.
Cities across the world are promoting greener public transportation by significantly investing in electric vehicles to combat air pollution. This transition has reduced carbon emissions and operational costs substantially compared to diesel buses. But in Bangladesh, such a transition seems like a distant dream, considering that the country is still struggling to remove dilapidated, unfit vehicles from the road, which are a major source of air pollution as well as road accidents. In October, the interim government announced a six-month ultimatum for the phase-out of old, unfit vehicles in Dhaka. But one cannot help but wonder whether this initiative will meet the same fate as that of the government ban on polythene bags.
Besides, tree plantation is a crucial and effective strategy in the fight against air pollution. Trees - nature's lungs - act as natural air purifiers by absorbing pollutants, releasing oxygen, and providing numerous environmental and health benefits. An increase in green cover will not only help fight air pollution, but also contribute to cooler urban temperatures by reducing the urban heat island effect, and enhance biodiversity. These efforts not only benefit the environment but also can enhance the quality of life for the city's residents.
Considering the deteriorating air quality in Dhaka, it is high time for the authorities concerned to adopt a multi-pronged strategy to combat air pollution. By increasing green spaces and targeting primary sources of air pollution, such as unauthorised brick kilns and factories, unfit vehicles, and unplanned construction sites, city authorities can significantly improve air quality and create a healthier environment for residents.
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