To the absolute surprise of no one, the air in Dhaka has once again been classified as the world’s most polluted, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 205 on Sunday morning. For reference, an AQI score between 151 and 200 is considered “unhealthy” while "201-300 is “very unhealthy,” and anywhere between 301-400 is considered “hazardous.”
The reason behind Dhaka’s inordinately polluted air is its high concentration of PM2.5, about 20 times the recommended regulated value as prescribed by the World Health Organization.
Despite all the information we have had, for years now, regarding the adverse impacts of air pollution in living beings, the prevailing attitude in tackling this issue still appears to be apathy. We already know that Dhaka’s poor air quality has been cutting down lifespan for the average citizen by as much as nine years, while there are studies which conclude around 24,000 premature deaths being caused by exposure to polluted air within a 14-year window.
We have also known that the biggest contributor to our rapidly deteriorating air quality are the numerous brickfields dotting the outskirts of the capital city, bellowing smoke full of fine particles which can gravely harm the human body.
Despite this widespread knowledge, and despite knowing that the antiquated end product of these brick kilns can be easily replaced with alternatives which don’t harm the environment or human health, nothing seems to ever be done to regulate these polluting bodies, most of which are purported to be operating without authorization.
But whether or not its brick kilns or unfit vehicles which have no right to be on our roads and highways, the government needs to rectify these well established causes of air pollution without delay.