Dhaka residents spend an average of Tk 4,000 annually on diagnosing and treating air pollution-related health issues, found a study of the Centre for Policy Dialogue titled “Green Cities Initiative”.
Seven of every 10 respondents to the study reported that they have suffered from symptoms such as coughing, breathing difficulties, runny noses, sore throats, chest pain, and eye irritation which pose serious health risks, including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and various respiratory diseases.
While 77 per cent of respondents believed that vehicular emissions were the primary cause of air pollution, CPD's research indicated that brick kilns were, in reality, responsible for the highest concentration of fine particles, accounting for approximately 58 per cent of total emissions in Dhaka.
Air and water pollution also led to 2,117 days off from work and school in Dhaka due to health problems, the study finds.
The respondents also reported indoor pollution, often caused by the absence of inverters in air conditioners and exhaust fans in kitchens.
The data revealed a 13 per cent increase in air pollution since 2020.
The CPD disseminated the study findings at a dialogue on “Reducing Pollution for Greening Cities” at Brac Centre Inn in Dhaka on Wednesday.
In collaboration with KIVU International and the International Growth Centre (IGC), with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) of the UK, the CPD conducted the study.
Deputy Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Habibun Nahar attended the dialogue as the chief guest with CPD Executive Director Dr Fahmida Khatun in the chair. CPD Research Fellow Syed Yusuf Saadat delivered a presentation on the research findings.
To combat air pollution effectively, CPD stressed the necessity of collaboration between private and public sectors, including city corporations, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, factory and brick kiln owners, private vehicle owners, and local communities.
Plastic pollution is another pressing concern. About 73 per cent of respondents felt that plastic pollution had worsened in the last 2-3 years, with 57 per cent noting extremely high levels in their local neighbourhoods. CPD's study identified eastern Dhaka as more severely affected by plastic pollution compared to western areas. Approximately 43 per cent of respondents admitted to discarding plastic waste onto the streets.
CPD recommended a range of policy measures to address these issues. For air pollution, they suggested regulations to phase out chimney brick kilns, halt approvals for new coal-based power plants, decommission existing ones, and implement a 1 per cent surcharge on goods produced by environmentally polluting industries. To combat plastic pollution, they proposed bans on polythene bags, seizure and destruction of manufacturing equipment, and the creation of conducive environments for alternatives. They also recommended regulations for phasing out single-use plastic products and establishing waste recycling centres in all city wards.
Speaking as the chief guest, Deputy Minister Habibun Nahar said there are too many rules and regulations against pollution but unfortunately they are hardly implemented.
“Every citizen’s involvement is important to sort out the pollution. Besides, participation of all sectors and coordination between government institutions is mandatory to get rid of the situation,” she added.
Matt Cannell, Acting British High Commissioner in Dhaka, highlighted the UK government's support for CPD's knowledge-sharing partnership and its commitment to sustainable development in Bangladesh. He emphasized four key areas for action: policy transmission, behavioural change, private sector involvement, and addressing regional aspects of pollution.
Samiya Selim of the Center for Sustainable Development (CSD) at the ULAB, Wameq A Raja from The World Bank, and Bareesh Hasan Chowdhury of the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) also spoke at the dialogue.
