Air pollution causes 88,229 deaths, costs 4.4pc of Bangladesh's GDP in 2019

Air pollution was the second largest cause of deaths and disability in Bangladesh in 2019 causing about 78,145–88,229 deaths, says a World Bank report on Sunday.

Air pollution also cost about 3.9 to 4.4 per cent of the country’s GDP in the same year, the report adds.

Exposure to high levels of air pollution significantly raises the risks of breathing difficulties, coughs, lower respiratory tract infections, as well as depression and other health conditions.

The report finds that the sites with major construction and persistent traffic in 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.

Children under five years, elderly, and people with comorbidities such as diabetes, heart or respiratory conditions, are most vulnerable, says the new World Bank report.

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.

To reduce air pollution impacts on health, the report recommended immediate actions, including improving public health services and response mechanisms, improving air pollution data monitoring systems, investing in early warning systems, and engaging in further research.

The second highest concentration of PM2.5 levels is found near brick kilns in Greater Dhaka, which is 136 per cent above the WHO AQG – equivalent to smoking 1.6 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.

Sylhet Division, which has the cleanest air in the country, still experiences average PM2.5 concentration levels 80 per cent above WHO AQG. This is equivalent to smoking 1.2 cigarettes per day.

“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 cost 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.

“Addressing air pollution is critical for the country’s sustainable and green growth and development. Through analytical work and new investments, the World Bank is helping Bangladesh reduce air pollution.”

Dhaka is the most polluted division while Sylhet is the least polluted. 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.

“Air pollution causes the climate to change, and climate change worsens the air quality. Over time, climate change and urbanization will further intensify air pollution,” said Wameq Azfar Raza, World Bank Health Specialist and the lead of the report.

“The health sector needs to be well prepared to deal with the imminent health crisis arising from air pollution and climate change.”

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, reads the report.

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