Exposure to high level of air pollution significantly raises the risks of breathing difficulties, cough, lower respiratory tract infections, as well as depression and other health conditions, according a World Bank report released on Sunday.
The report ‘Breathing Heavy: New Evidence on Air Pollution and Health in Bangladesh’ assessed the impacts of outdoor air pollution on physical and mental health in Dhaka and Sylhet.
Children under five years, elderly, and people with comorbidities such as diabetes, heart or respiratory conditions, are most vulnerable.
The report finds that the sites with major construction and persistent traffic in the Dhaka City have the highest level of air pollution.
At these sites, the fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is considered most hazardous to health, is on average 150 per cent above the WHO Air Quality Guidelines (AQG), which is equivalent to smoking about 1.7 cigarettes per day.
Incidence of lower respiratory tract infections was significantly higher among children living near major construction and traffic sites than elsewhere in the country, including near brick kilns.
“Ambient air pollution puts everyone at risk, from a child to an elderly. In 2019, air pollution was the second largest cause of deaths and disability in Bangladesh and costed about 3.9 to 4.4 per cent of the country’s GDP,” said Dandan Chen, Acting World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan.
Air pollution caused about 78,145–88,229 deaths in Bangladesh in 2019. While air pollution levels within the country vary significantly, the concentration of PM2.5 in all the regions is significantly above the threshold recommended by the WHO Air Quality Guidelines.
From 2018 to 2021, Dhaka was ranked as the second most polluted city in the world. The western regions (Khulna and Rajshahi) are more polluted than the eastern ones (Sylhet and Chattogram).
In the Dhaka division, in addition to local pollution sources, up to one-fifth of the total PM2.5 concentration comes from transboundary sources.
Air pollution also affects mental health. Depression is most reported in locations with major construction and persistent traffic. The study finds that a one per cent increase in exposure to PM2.5 above the WHO AQG is associated with a 20 per cent higher probability of being depressed.
Urgent actions will include improving the public health service platform to provide curative care and promoting preventive health care.
Community-level screening for persistent coughs and breathing difficulties for people living in air pollution hotspots will help the government address emerging health issues.
Close monitoring of air quality data and further research will help devise effective measures to deal with the health impacts of air pollution.
Dhaka world’s 3rd most polluted city today
Dhaka ranked third in the list of world cities with the worst air quality on Sunday morning.
Its air quality continued to be in the 'unhealthy' zone with an air quality index (AQI) score of 196 at 9am.
An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', particularly for sensitive groups.
Pakistan’s Lahore and Iraq’s Baghdad occupied the first two spots in the list, with AQI scores of 396 and 198, respectively.
An AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'poor', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
