Breathing poison in capital

Whenever the list of the world's most polluted cities is published, Dhaka is almost always near the top. The Air Quality Index frequently records unhealthy or even hazardous levels, especially in winter when the air feels thick and heavy. Yet we have grown used to it. We check the AQI, wear masks, and move on, convincing ourselves that it is only dust. But this quiet acceptance hides a dangerous truth.

Dhaka's polluted air is not merely an environmental issue; it is a public health emergency. Hospitals reveal the reality each winter as emergency rooms fill with patients struggling to breathe. Children suffer from pneumonia, asthma patients rely constantly on inhalers and elderly citizens face severe respiratory distress. What seems seasonal is, in fact, a growing crisis.

The deeper danger lies in long-term exposure. Fine particles known as PM2.5 enter the lungs and pass into the bloodstream, gradually damaging vital organs. Global health research links prolonged air pollution to lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Dhaka's air also carries toxic elements such as lead, posing serious risks to brain development in children. Studies suggest that chronic exposure to polluted air can reduce cognitive ability, affecting memory and attention. A nation that dreams of progress cannot ignore the silent harm inflicted on its future generations.

The economic consequences are equally alarming. Lost productivity, rising healthcare costs, and reduced workdays cost Bangladesh billions annually. Families spend heavily on treatment, often falling into financial hardship. Public health resources are drained to manage preventable illnesses instead of improving overall services. Meanwhile, Dhaka's repeated appearance among the most polluted cities damages the country's global image, discouraging investors and visitors alike.

Clean air is not a luxury; it is a fundamental right. Strong enforcement, cleaner technologies, proper waste management and a genuine commitment to environmental protection are urgently needed. Without a decisive action, Dhaka's toxic air will continue to choke not only its people but also the nation's future.

AL Sharia

Student

Begum Rokeya University

shariabrur@gmail.com