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| The report claims that “if air pollution levels were reduced according to World Health Organization guidelines, a Bangladeshi citizen could live an average of 5.5 years longer.” (photo: Reuters) |
Air pollution is reducing the average life expectancy of Bangladeshis by 5.5 years, according to the latest figures, making it the most affected country in the world.
The government has promised to take action on the issue by the end of the year.
According to the University of Chicago Energy Policy Institute's "Air Quality and Life Index" report, released last week, "air pollution is the single greatest external threat to human life expectancy in Bangladesh, and it is currently the most polluted country in the world."
All 166.8 million people in Bangladesh live in places where the annual average amount of fine particles in the air exceeds the World Health Organization guideline of 5 micrograms per cubic meter and the national limit of 35 micrograms. In cities like the capital Dhaka, the ratio has been found to be more than 76 micrograms.
The report claims that “if air pollution levels were reduced according to World Health Organization guidelines, a Bangladeshi citizen could live an average of 5.5 years longer.”
In particular, the severity of toxic air in Dhaka results in a 6.9-year reduction in average life expectancy.
The report also shows that air quality is rapidly deteriorating despite government efforts.
Commenting on the situation, Dr. Ahmed Kamrozzaman Majumdar, an environmental scientist and professor at Stamford University in Dhaka, said: "This is very worrying for us. I don't think any other country in the world has faced such a serious situation."
"The air pollution here has increased so much that it doesn't need research to detect it, it can be seen with the naked eye."
Haze and smog have become a daily reality for Bangladeshi city dwellers, engulfing the cities almost every morning. But more dangerous is the pollution that is not visible to the naked eye.
“Last year’s AQLI report showed a decline in our average life expectancy of 4.8 years, while this year the decline is 5.5 years,” says Majumdar.
"This situation is very dangerous. It shows that the state has failed to provide a safe environment for the protection of its citizens. Bangladesh has not rejected the report, which means that the government also agrees with its findings." The state cannot eradicate it.’
He cited the increasing use of fossil fuels and smoke from brick kilns, which burn coal or wood to make bricks, as the main sources of pollution.
“Every year, about a hundred thousand new vehicles enter Dhaka’s roads. Many of them are driven without any fitness tests, which contributes significantly to air pollution.”
He said we also face transboundary air pollution from neighboring countries. Poor waste management, especially open burning, is also a major problem.
In response to the latest report, the government has promised to accelerate efforts by the end of the year, but this will not be easy.
Dr. Ziaul Haque, director of the Air Quality Division at the Environment Agency, acknowledged that every possible source of air pollution exists in Bangladesh’s environment.
“We are trying to remove unsuitable vehicles from the roads, but so far there has been no significant success in this area,” he told Arab News.
"We will continuously monitor the major industries responsible for air pollution. A device will be installed in their kilns and our officers will continuously monitor their emissions at the central level.
If any violation is found, immediate intervention will be taken. This work will start within the next two months under the 'Clean Air Bangladesh' project."
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