air pollution disrupts public life in Dhaka, increasing diseases and pests!

The air is polluted due to years of construction work, road excavations and garbage burning. The capital Dhaka is polluted with air pollution. Air pollution prevails in Dhaka for a large part of the year due to dust, vehicles and factory smoke. People are not getting relief from pollution even by using masks. The picture in the neighboring districts of Dhaka is almost the same.

The air quality is especially bad in areas developed in industrial areas. The air quality in areas like Gazipur and Narayanganj is also in a 'very unhealthy' state. Dhaka often occupies the top spot in the world's polluted air index by the Switzerland-based organization IQAir. Diseases and pests are increasing due to pollution. People of all ages are at risk of health. The relevant organizations have not taken any effective initiatives to prevent or remedy the air pollution in the capital.

Dhaka was 'very unhealthy' for 14 days in the last month according to IQAir's air quality index. If the score is from 151 to 200, the air quality is considered unhealthy, if it is 201 to 300, it is very unhealthy, and if it is more than 301, it is considered hazardous. In the last one month, the air quality in Dhaka has fluctuated between 151 and 299 scores. According to the IQAir air quality index, on November 15, 16, 23, 24, 25 and December 4 to 14, Dhaka's air quality score was between 201 and 300.

Various air pollution scenes are seen in different areas of the capital, including Shanir Akhra, Jatrabari, Gulistan, Kamalapur, Shahjahanpur and Khilgaon. Construction work on the Metrorail and Elevated Expressway is underway in Kamalapur, Shahjahanpur and Khilgaon areas. The environment there is being polluted by dust from construction materials. Trucks carrying sand at night are also one of the causes of air pollution in Dhaka. Hundreds of trucks carrying sand from outside Dhaka arrive in different areas of Dhaka every day through Jatrabari and Jurain areas. Sand from these trucks spreads to different areas of the city, flying in the air. In addition, unplanned urbanization in this city, building construction, brick kilns, unfit vehicles, non-compliance with various construction rules, burning of waste everywhere, lack of adequate supervision, etc. are some of the reasons for Dhaka air pollution.

Although the City Corporation used to spray water on its own system earlier, it is not seen now. Sumaiya Rahman, a resident of Jatrabari, is a doctor at Eastern Medical. She said that numerous vehicles travel to different districts from Jatrabari area every day. Due to this, the area is covered in vehicle smoke and dust all the time. Due to dust, we are immediately sneezing, coughing, colds and allergy-related problems. In winter, if we keep the windows and doors of the house closed most of the time, light and air do not circulate in the house. But when we open the doors and windows, dust also enters the house. We have to clean our homes regularly. Still, air pollution causes various diseases and germs. Diabetics, AIDS patients, children, and traffic police are at the highest risk of health.

Public health expert Dr. Lelin Chowdhury told More News that air pollution has a multifaceted effect on the human body. Inhaling polluted air causes various types of respiratory diseases such as sneezing, coughing, pneumonia, asthma, etc. Breathing polluted air for a long time can cause lung cancer. This happens to everyone, young and old, but pneumonia and shortness of breath are more common in children.

This expert said that one-fourth of the people who die of heart attacks in the world are due to air pollution. Air pollution affects our immune system, brain, and its effect makes us irritable. We cannot concentrate properly on any task. Blood pressure increases, putting pressure on the heart. In addition, various types of heavy lead or heavy metal substances from polluted air are absorbed into our body or through the lungs. In addition, it damages the liver and kidneys. Weight gain of the fetus is disrupted and premature abortions are also caused due to polluted air.

The report titled 'State of Global Air 2024' highlights the alarming state of air quality in Bangladesh and worldwide. The report says that in most cases, children under the age of five are victims of air pollution-related diseases. As a result, various health problems including premature birth, low birth weight, asthma and lung diseases occur. There is a large presence of ozone gas in Bangladesh, which is one of the causes of air pollution-related diseases. The report said that in 2021, 237,000 deaths due to ozone-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) occurred globally in India, 125,600 in China, and 15,000 in Bangladesh.

Suggesting that air pollution levels should be reduced to overcome air pollution-related diseases, Lelin Chowdhury said that the main source of air pollution in Dhaka is construction work. This pollution occurs from all construction work, including small and big mega projects. In addition, the air and smoke emitted from motor vehicles also pollute the air. To control this, fitness work and initiatives should be taken to reduce it and reduce fugitive fuel. Waste management should be given a well-organized form. People should be made aware. The central government, local governments, and the people should take an initiative together. Several places are very important in that initiative. We see that the small liquor and cigarette shops on the streets are dirty and have dirty surroundings. We need to control them.