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Dhaka's air is now hazardous to breathe even for healthy people with residents increasingly reporting a burning sensation in their noses and eyes. This is particularly acute in industrial and construction areas. Parts of the city are so dusty that people walking the streets have no choice but to shield their noses with their hands or wear masks. Air pollution is a problem that has been around for decades, but has lately escalated into a full-blown environmental emergency.
Large-scale infrastructure projects like the metro rail and the elevated expressway, although vital for urban development, have been underway in and around the capital for years, showing little regard for people's convenience and health. Residents near these construction sites frequently suffer from colds, coughs, and other respiratory illnesses. The Gazipur-Dhaka Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, which is ongoing for well over a decade, leaves travellers along the route covered in layers of dust. Their hair becomes rough and dry due to prolonged exposure, and unless they wash it or take a shower, the dust lingers.
It is therefore no surprise that Dhaka consistently ranks among the most polluted cities in the world, often earning the dubious distinction of being the world's worst. According to reports from Swiss air quality monitor IQAir which tracks global pollution levels through measuring PM2.5 and PM10 particles, PM2.5 levels in Dhaka regularly exceed WHO safety limits by ten times. IQAir also reported that residents of Dhaka have not had a single day of clean air in the past four months. The situation has worsened to the point that experts now recommend keeping windows shut, avoiding outdoor activities, and wearing masks at all times when outside in the capital.
Scientific studies link prolonged exposure to PM2.5 to chronic bronchitis and reduced lung function while PM10 is associated with asthma, bronchitis, heart disease, and strokes. PM2.5 are fine particles in the air 2.5 micrometres in diameter or smaller and PM10 are particulate matters with a diameter of 10 micrometres or less. Both pollutants contribute to premature deaths.
A study in the world's leading medical journal, The Lancet found that Bangladesh has the highest rate of deaths in the world caused by environmental pollution. Given the country's air quality, this should come as no surprise. Just a few decades ago, heart attacks among young people were rare, but today they have become alarmingly common. While it would be inaccurate to claim that air pollution is the sole cause of this alarming trend, there is little doubt that it is a contributing factor.
Experts attribute Dhaka's pollution to several factors including dust from construction sites, smoke from vehicles, and emissions from brick kilns. Among those, construction dust alone disrupts daily life in countless ways: thick layers settle on residents' clothing, cover furniture, and even contaminate food to make clean living impossible. As the world's densest city, Dhaka's rapid urbanization driven by economic migration fuels constant infrastructure development, which is the major source of dust-induced air pollution.
Compounding the issue are poorly managed public works such as gas line repairs, drainage upgrading, underground cables, and road construction. Funded or supervised by government departments, these projects often begin with available funding, but are left unfinished when funding runs out. As a result, roads remain dug up disrupting traffic and materials are exposed to the air worsening environmental hazards until new funding arrives. The Department of Environment (DoE) has clear guidelines to control dust pollution at construction sites, such as covering materials, ensuring enclosures, and spraying water to suppress dust. However, these rules are often ignored. When enforcement does occur, it tends to target individuals with limited resources and without political connections while influential developers and construction firms evade accountability. This culture of selective enforcement perpetuates the crisis and also undermines public trust in DoE's ability to uphold environment standards.
Vehicle emissions are another major pollutant. Many buses in Dhaka exceed their operational lifespan, yet they continue to operate releasing clouds of black smoke. During winter, smog formed by a combination of fog, dust, and vehicle emissions reduces visibility and increases risks of accidents.
Political will is essential to address this issue, though leaders have historically hesitated to challenge the influential bus owners' syndicate due to political considerations. However, from the government of Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, the most prominent figure in Bangladesh's civil society, expectations for stronger environmental leadership are much higher. His administration now has a unique opportunity to spearhead anti-pollution efforts by enforcing stricter vehicular emission standards and fuel economy regulations to protect public health and environment.
It is crucial to recognise the international dimension of Bangladesh's air pollution, as it is not solely caused by domestic factors. Scientific evidence confirms that polluted air masses regularly cross into Bangladesh from industrial and agricultural regions of India worsening its already severe air quality. In years with sufficient rainfall in India, air quality there improves resulting in fewer pollutants crossing the border. However, in drier years, Bangladesh bears the brunt of trans-border pollution, which serves as yet another reminder that environmental challenges in one country can have serious consequences for its neighbours.
There is no alternative to comprehensive actions for improving Dhaka's air quality and safeguarding public health. The good news is that solving interconnected problems can create ripple effects-for instance, easing traffic congestion would reduce vehicle idling time thus lowering carbon emissions. This must be paired with strict enforcement of existing pollution laws and public awareness campaigns that promote responsible practices. Only through such collective efforts can the residents of Dhaka hope to breathe clean air.