Control air pollution strictly

Among the non-communicable diseases that cause the most deaths worldwide, the majority are due to air pollution. The pollution caused by microscopic particulate matter in the air leads to various diseases, resulting in at least 7 million deaths globally every year. According to the World Bank, in 2019 alone, around 88,000 people in Bangladesh died due to air pollution. Recently, air pollution in several cities of the country has reached such levels that there is a question of whether these cities are livable. In fact, Bangladesh has now topped the list of countries with the most polluted air in the world. In this situation, the excessive air pollution in the country is having the most severe impact on human reproductive health as well as overall health.

In areas prone to air pollution in the country, the number of deaths due to various diseases is increasing. The fine particulate matter in the air is so small that it easily enters the human body through the eyes, nose, and mouth, mixing with the blood. As a result, the number of patients suffering from lung, heart, kidney, and liver diseases is increasing in the country. Additionally, doctors are reporting that this pollution is reducing life expectancy, causing miscarriages in women, birth defects in children, and severe effects on the development of children’s nervous systems. Moreover, air pollution disrupts the process of photosynthesis in plants, which negatively impacts the animal kingdom.

Generally, the air quality in the country is never healthy. During July-August, for a few days, the air quality is tolerable. For the rest of the year, it is either unhealthy or very unhealthy. Due to air pollution, each citizen has to spend 8,334 Taka every year for health-related costs. The total damage amounts to 652 billion US dollars, which is 3.9 per cent of the GDP.

Studies have shown that in the country's cities, uncontrolled construction work, disorganized renovation work, road digging, brick kilns, industrial waste, black smoke from unfit vehicles, and the burning of garbage and waste are the major contributors to the increasing air pollution. In such a scenario, researchers have made several short, medium, and long-term recommendations to combat air pollution. These include measures such as spraying water in polluted cities during the dry season, covering construction sites during construction work, covering construction materials during transportation, using suction trucks to collect dust on roads, closing illegal brick kilns, and controlling private and unfit vehicles.

Bangladesh is on the path to development, with various types of construction work ongoing. This has led to an increase in environmental pollution. Therefore, the need to control environmental pollution has become much more critical. Although it is a challenge, it is not impossible to tackle. In order to truly free the country from air and environmental pollution, raising public awareness and ensuring the proper enforcement of national laws have become essential. In this regard, various government agencies must work together to prevent air pollution.

Bangladesh is on the path to development, with various types of construction work ongoing. This has led to an increase in environmental pollution. Therefore, the need to control environmental pollution has become much more critical. Although it is a challenge, it is not impossible to tackle. In order to truly free the country from air and environmental pollution, raising public awareness and ensuring the proper enforcement of national laws have become essential. In this regard, various government agencies must work together to prevent air pollution.

Additionally, the draft law to prevent air pollution must be passed quickly, and its implementation should be urgent. Without strong political intervention, air pollution may increase even further in the coming years. Therefore, the relevant authorities must analyze and take strict measures to control all types of environmental pollution, including air pollution, caused by various factors in the country.