Globally, 9 out of 10 people breathe polluted air, increasing long-term health risks. Each year, approximately 7 million deaths are attributed to air pollution, highlighting the urgent need to address this critical issue.
The air pollution in Dhaka has risen to its greatest level in ten years, breaking worrisome records. Nearly every day, the city is among the most polluted in the world due to the air quality deteriorating beyond prior levels during the dry season. There is a serious risk to public health from this.
Environmental specialists say that the situation has gotten much worse due to rubbish burning, emissions from unfit vehicles, pollutants from brick kilns, and unchecked urbanization. According to observations, the air pollution in Dhaka has peaked within the past ten years. Experts contend that government efforts to address the situation are still insufficient.
The air quality in Dhaka has lately surpassed 500, signifying a very high degree of pollution, even though an AQI beyond 300 is considered a disaster. This concerning circumstance highlights the urgent need for appropriate action and poses major public health issues. As a precaution, authorities have already recommended that everyone wear masks.
A number of significant reasons have contributed to the worrisome levels of air pollution in Dhaka. The air is becoming more dangerous due to the many brick kilns that surround the city and generate harmful pollutants like sulphur dioxide (SO?), carbon monoxide (CO), and fine particulate matter (PM?.?, PM??). Additionally, the thick black smoke emitted by old and unfit cars using octane and diesel contributes significantly to air pollution.
The issue is made worse by uncontrolled urbanization, constant road excavation, and construction work, which spreads a lot of dust that is harmful to the lungs. In addition to industrial emissions from tanneries, clothing factories, and chemical plants that further deteriorate air quality, open waste burning, particularly of plastic and trash, releases dangerous chemicals into the atmosphere.
Adults are heavily impacted by air pollution as well. Pollutant-induced problems in the brain blood arteries cause 23% of strokes, while airborne carcinogens are responsible for about 11% of lung cancer fatalities. Another factor contributing to 32% of heart failure instances is pollution.
Furthermore, the brain is harmed by contaminated air in addition to the body. Long-term exposure to air pollution has been associated with neurological conditions that affect memory and can eventually result in dementia, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Despite an increase in life expectancy, air pollution has steadily become a silent murderer over the past few decades, posing a serious threat to public health. In addition to causing respiratory problems, it also plays a role in the development of chronic, fatal illnesses. This situation will increase in the future if air pollution is not regulated, affecting the economy as a whole as well as public health. Breathing problems are among the many long-term illnesses that many individuals are experiencing. Asthma and other chronic lung diseases are made more likely by pollution, and the symptoms of people who already have them get worse. The moment to take preventive action is now.
In order to combat air pollution, it is crucial to regulate car emissions and encourage the use of petrol and electric vehicles. Modern filtering technology should be implemented by industries to reduce toxic smoke. Utilizing alternative energy sources, such as solar and biogas, will lessen the need for fossil fuels. Reducing the use of pesticides, preventing open burning, and managing garbage properly are also essential. Industrial and residential sectors should be kept well apart in urban development, and more trees should be planted to help balance the atmosphere by absorbing carbon dioxide and creating oxygen.
Although regulations and suitable punishments must be strictly enforced in order to control air pollution, there is still a large implementation gap. Although the government and pertinent organizations are important, individual awareness-raising is also crucial. Wearing masks outside can provide some protection due to the extreme air pollution, according to health authorities. A concerted effort comprising legislative decisions, technology developments, and raised public awareness is required to guarantee long-term environmental stability.
The writer is a Contributor