Presence of harmful chemicals in the air in Dhaka and other cities, which cause respiratory problems and affect the brain and heart, is much lower than the permissible level, Environment Minister Anwar Hossain tells parliament yesterday.
According to the standard set by the Department of Environment in 1997, the average (24 hours) maximum permissible level of sulphur dioxide is 140 parts per billion (ppb).
Exposure to sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide for five minutes’ can cause asthma and other respiratory problems. And carbon monoxide can have harmful effects by reducing oxygen delivery to the body’s organs such as to the heart and the brain, says the US environment protection agency.
Exposure to carbon monoxide can reduce the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, it further says.
But the air in Dhaka, Chittagong, Narayanganj, Rajshahi, Gazipur, Khulna, Sylhet and Barisal contains 2-30 ppb of suphur dioxide, said the minister quoting the data collected by 11 continuous air monitoring stations in the cities.
Replying to a question from the Awami League MP Nizam Uddin Hazari (Sonagazi) Anwar Hossain said air in the cities contains 35 to 40 ppb of nitrogen oxide against the maximum level of 53 ppb (annual average).
He said the presence of carbon monoxide is 2-4 ppb against the set maximum standard of 9 ppb (per eight hours).
“According to the data available from the monitoring stations, the content of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide are not alarming,” said the minister.
Under the CASE project, the environment directorate set up three continuous air monitoring stations – two in Chittagong and one each in Narayanganj, Rajshahi, Gazipur, Khulna, Sylhet and Barisal.
The minister said the government chalked out plans to stop air pollution by the brick kiln under CASE project.
Besides, he said, the government with the assistance of the Germany had initiated the plan to distribute pollution-free burner styled Bondhu Chula.
