Severe air pollution slashes 5.5 years of life from Bangladeshis

Severe air pollution slashes 5.5 years of life from Bangladeshis
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According to a report by the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute, air pollution shortens the average Bangladeshi’s life by 5.5 years, making it the most affected country in the world, Arab News reported.

The report, called the Air Quality Life Index, states that all of Bangladesh’s 166.8 million people live in areas where the annual average level of fine particulate pollution exceeds both the World Health Organization’s and the country’s own national guidelines. In the capital city of Dhaka, the average life expectancy is reduced by 6.9 years due to toxic air.

The article highlights that air quality in Bangladesh has been worsening despite government efforts, with PM2.5 levels on a sharp rise since the late 1990s. Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, a professor at Stamford University in Dhaka, points to the increasing use of fossil fuels, fumes from brick kilns, and a growing number of vehicles operating without proper fitness checks as major sources of pollution. He also mentions that transboundary pollution from neighboring countries accounts for 30 to 35 percent of Dhaka’s air pollution.

In response, Dr. Ziaul Huq, director of air quality management at the Department of Environment, acknowledged the issue and stated that the government would step up its efforts by the end of the year. He mentioned a new “Bangladesh Clean Air” project that will bring big industries under constant monitoring by installing devices at their factory furnaces.