While writing this article, having mild dyspnea and slight difficulty in breathing, Dhaka proclaimed the top position on the list of cities with the worst air quality with high AQI scores, ranging from unhealthy to hazardous air quality throughout January 2025.
Moreover, emerging lung infections including Covid-19 and HMPV and so on have been able to impose a burden, making us more vulnerable to lung infections with progressive lung diseases.
Studies have attributed over 100,000 annual deaths in Bangladesh as a consequence of high PM2.5 in the air, with young children particularly vulnerable. Additionally, over 900,000 preterm births and close to 700,000 cases of low birth weight have also been reported as a result of inhaling polluted air. These numbers show the vicious consequences of air pollution -- on health, finance, and development sectors directly and/or indirectly.
Recent data state that the Air Quality Index (AQI) in urban areas, particularly Dhaka, consistently exceeds hazardous levels,regularly surpasses 100 µg/m³, far exceeding the WHO's safe limit of 5 µg/m³ -- making it one of the most polluted cities globally.
Chronic diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heart disease are increasingly linked to prolonged exposure to high PM levels. Children are particularly vulnerable, with evidence showing impaired lung development and cognitive challenges due to air pollution.
Economic losses attributable to ambient air pollution was estimated to be between 3.9 and 4.4% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of Bangladesh in 2019. This large toll of deaths as well as economic losses is finally attracting pointed attention.
Without decisive action, these health impacts will continue to grow, placing immense pressure on the healthcare system and exacerbating poverty and inequality.
Bangladesh’s environmental legal framework is shaped by more than 100 acts, rules, policies, and plans. We have lined up several action plans as well including the National Adaptation Plan (2023–2030), Bangladesh National Air Quality Management Plan (2024-2030), Bangladesh National Action Plan for Reducing Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) 2018, Roadmap and Action Plan for Implementing Bangladesh’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 2018, and so on.
Despite having so many laws, acts, and plans, these progressive AQI scores are indicating our gaps with documents and reality. The constant unhealthy air has gradually progressed towards poisonous forms, as the whole country is forced to accept the death tolls, overburdening non-communicable diseases, and deteriorating mental and physical health through each inhalation.
The upcoming preparation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in 2025 might be a platform to integrate stricter air quality targets and demonstrate leadership in climate action. However, implementation remains a significant challenge, as policies often fall short due to weak enforcement, limited funding, and inadequate coordination between stakeholders.
Although efforts should be more effective for the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the newly proposed Loss and Damage Fund, discussed at COP28, presents an opportunity to secure resources for addressing the health and economic consequences of air pollution.
Moreover, the priorities of the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (Global Fund) have escalated their concern from disease-specific initiatives to more climate-resilient adaptabilities. Their concerns will be surveillance, strengthening the workforce, advocacy and strategy, emergency response, stakeholder sensitization, etc while awareness and behavioural change campaigns should be the top priority.
Additionally, different donor organizations such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Embassy of Sweden have endorsed their concerns on sustaining and advancing health outcomes in the face of climate impacts and aiding climate-related endeavours of Bangladesh. Through flexible, innovative strategies and robust partnerships with local emergency responders and community groups, Bangladesh and the donor organizations can address these challenges effectively.
However, the perception of change and the perception of action are crucial to adapting and battling the forthcoming consequences of environmental hazards. We believe that Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has the understanding of the grave consequences inaction will bring to Bangladesh.
Together with Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Advisor Nurjahan Begum of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, we can anticipate bold steps on tackling environmental consequences and a much more effective and impactful response to ensure that we can breathe a little easier.
There are so many experts in the climate-friendly cabinet in Bangladesh to light the fire for “what needs to be done.” Yet the fact remains that we need less conversations and expert opinions and more immediate actions to battle our toxic air.
Maliha Khan Majlish is Senior Technical and Development Officer, Eminence, Associates for Social Development and Project Associate, Bangladesh Urban Health Network (BUHN).
