On Saturday, 18 January 2025 at 11:30 AM, a Press Conference and report launching event titled “Clean Air for Healthy Lives: Urgency of Addressing Air Quality” was organized jointly by the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) at Manik Mia Hall, National Press Club, Dhaka. During the event, a report titled “Public Health Impact of Fine Particulate Air Pollution in Bangladesh” was unveiled. Additionally, data-driven analyses were presented on the health risks posed by air pollution in Dhaka and other major cities across the country, emphasizing the necessity for effective national policies. An interactive Dashboard was also launched at the program, offering all stakeholders the ability to monitor real-time pollution data and its associated health impacts at city and district levels. This initiative aims to promote informed decision-making and increase public awareness.
The press conference and report launching event were moderated by Professor Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, Chairman of CAPS. The program was graced by the presence of Professor Dr. Adil Mohammed Khan, President of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners, as the chief guest. Mr. Tapan Kumar Biswas, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, attended as the Guest of Honor, while Ms. Nayoka Martinez-Backstrom, First Secretary, Environment & Climate Change, Sweden Embassy Bangladesh, attended as a special guest. Other notable attendees included Dr. Mahbubul Islam, former Associate Professor of Respiratory Medicine at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College; Dr. Ayesha Akhter, Deputy Director of the 250-Bed TB Hospital; and Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam Tahin, Secretary of the Center for Law and Policy Affairs (CLPA). The main report was presented by Dr. Jamie Kelly, the air quality analyst of CREA. CREA Southeast Asia Analyst and lead author, Daniel Nesan was joined the Zoom Platform.
According to a new analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), PM2.5 is responsible for roughly 102,456 deaths in the country annually, related to ischemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lower respiratory infections, and lung cancer. Children under five are especially vulnerable, with 5,258 deaths annually attributed to PM2.5-related lower respiratory infections. Alongside, ʻBangladeshʼs air pollution is leading to thousands of premature births, low birth weights, and childhood deaths each year. These outcomes highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to protect those who are least able to protect themselves. PM2.5 also weakens the economy by creating around 266 million sick days each year, a huge loss in productivity impacting the economic resilience of businesses and families alike. Addressing Bangladeshʼs air pollution represents an investment in both public health and the domestic economy said CREA Air Quality Analyst, Dr Jamie Kelly.
ʻCREAʼs analysis of different air quality standards, Bangladeshʼs standards, and the 2005 and 2021 WHO guidelines, demonstrates that aligning PM2.5 levels with even modest improvements can yield substantial national health benefits. By enforcing stricter controls and adopting cleaner energy solutions, air pollution levels can be dramatically reduced, said CREA Southeast Asia Analyst and lead author, Daniel Nesan.
CAPS Chairman Prof. Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumdar said that the level of air pollution in Dhaka city has increased to such an extent that it is not only affecting the human body but also disturbing the mental health. Therefore, if effective measures and policies are not taken to monitor and prevent pollution from this moment, the present and future generations will have to face a lot of health risks due to air pollution.
Swedish Embassy Bangladesh’s First Secretary (Environment and Climate Change) at a press conference Ms. Nayoka Martinez-Backstrom said air pollution is one of the most pronounced environmental issues in Dhaka and major cities in Bangladesh. Priority actions include having policies and incentives to promote clean production and energy efficiency measures are important to mitigate the negative impact; investing in efficient public transportation and waste management. Swedish government along with other international development partners have actively supported various programs including social safety nets, renewable energy expansion in Bangladesh and hope to collaborate further to reduce this severe air pollution.
Tapan Kumar Biswas, Additional Secretary (Environmental Pollution Control and Law wing) of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, said that PM 2.5 has undoubtedly become a major threat to public health in Bangladesh. The government is working with maximum capacity to reduce air pollution.
Adil Muhammad Khan, president of Bangladesh Institute of Planners, said that a major change is imperative in the development philosophy of the Bangladesh government. Public health should be prioritized in the development plans in cities. For this reason, strict enforcement along with reform of the law is necessary.
Air pollution has a great health impact. To protect ourselves and our community, we should use a face mask outdoors always, we should reduce the use of mechanical vehicles and for sustainable modes of transport like bicycles, we need more walkways and dedicated bicycle lanes to encourage this shift, said Dr. Mahbubul Islam.
Syed Mahbubul Alam Tahin said Through amending the Environmental Court Act, it is possible to reduce air pollution, and the public must be given the right to express their opinions directly, which will contribute significantly to reducing overall pollution.
Dr. Ayesha Akhter stated that health risks are highest due to air pollution. Children, women, pregnant women, and the elderly are the most vulnerable to air pollution. Specific measures must be taken to reduce pollution.
Policy recommendations according to the Program:
– Bangladesh should adhere to and enforce its own national guideline and further move towards the 2005 WHO guideline of 10 µg/m³ in the medium term, and a longer-term goal of achieving the 2021 WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³.
– Reducing reliance on coal and diesel as primary energy sources, incentivizing the adoption of renewable energy, and supporting cleaner transportation and industry will be essential in curbing PM2.5 in the long term.
– Stricter industrial emissions regulations – such as enhanced vehicular emissions standards and improved monitoring and enforcement mechanisms – should be immediately implemented in high-burden urban centres, especially Dhaka and Chattogram.
– To ensure measurable results, a phased approach targeting the emissions from most polluting industries – such as brick kilns and power plants – is recommended.
– Expanding monitoring networks and establishing a national monitoring framework that integrates ground-based and satellite data would allow for better tracking of PM2.5 trends and more accurate health impact assessments.
