In the News
May 10, 2024
As one of the largest and most disaster-prone populous deltas in the world, Bangladesh is beset by over 10 million climate refugees, with an estimated 2,000 people moving to Dhaka every day. The infrastructurally underdeveloped megacity, already groaning under the weight of rural migration, is struggling to accommodate its overwhelming population density of 49,000 per square kilometer. This is evident in the water we drink, the soil that grows our food, and the air we breathe in.
Air pollutants such as particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3), oxides of nitrogen (NOX), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) are chipping away at the physical and mental well-being of Dhaka’s residents. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is measured on the basis of these key pollutants. The AQI informs the general public on the status of the air quality in a particular area and the required precautions for sensitive groups. Of the six hazardous air pollutants, PM 2.5, or Fine Particulate Matter is the most harmful. PM 2.5 is made of airborne particles measuring less than 2.5 micrometers in aerodynamic diameter. Due to its microscopic size, PM 2.5 is capable of penetrating deep into the lungs and entering the bloodstream. From there, it can reach the heart, brain, and other vital organs. Air pollutants can even pass through the placenta to adversely affect the development of a fetus. Pollution causes inflammation in the lungs and other body parts, with prolonged exposure linked to infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and pneumonia, as well as cataracts. PM 2.5 exposure in Bangladesh has increased by 12% from 2010 to 2019, with 31,300 deaths attributable to PM 2.5 concentrations over the last decade.
According to the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), after cardiovascular disease, particulate pollution is the second greatest threat to human health in terms of life expectancy in Bangladesh. EPIC research confirms air pollution is cutting the life expectancy per person in Dhaka by about 8 years. In comparison, tobacco use reduces average life expectancy by 2.1 years, while child and maternal malnutrition reduces average life expectancy by 1.4 years.