Not a day goes by without the country struggling to breathe; air pollution continues to be among the most pressing issues in Bangladesh, affecting the health of its citizens and the environment. With an estimated 80% of the population exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution, we continue to rank among the worst countries in the world in terms of air quality, with the level of air pollution almost never below the safe level set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
By now, our toxic air's adverse effects on our health is well documented -- with PM2.5 particles most responsible, penetrating deep into the lungs and causing respiratory problems, heart disease, and other serious health issues.
It appears that we get nowhere with regard to addressing the air pollution crisis in the country, but it must be done. There exist several probable steps, such as implementing strict regulations and increasing the use of clean technologies, with strong emphasis on renewable energy sources. We are investing in public transportation infrastructure but this must be done so sustainably to reduce the number of cars on the roads.
And of course, we must remove illegal industries that are arguably the worst culprits, such as the operation of brick kilns -- often done so with no regard for the environment. It is about time we stop those responsible for these brick kilns, while also devising more sustainable and eco-friendly construction material.
The problem of air pollution will take collective will to fix. Only by taking a comprehensive approach that includes strict regulations, clean technologies, sustainable practices, and awareness can Bangladesh begin to improve its air quality and protect the health of its people. We need the authorities to prioritize air pollution as a national crisis, and take swift action to address it.
