Air pollution has claimed about 102,456 lives annually in Bangladesh, a recent study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) revealed on Saturday.
Analyzing satellite data and model-based estimations enhanced by machine learning techniques, CREA stated that meeting Bangladesh's national air quality standard could reduce deaths by 19 per cent, while meeting the WHO 2021 guideline would reduce deaths by 79 per cent, saving 81,282 lives each year.
"Maintaining the air quality standard, we could eliminate almost all asthma-related emergency visits and preterm births, and avoid 262 million annual sick leave days," CAPS Chairman Prof Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder said at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club while launching the report titled "Public Health Impacts of Fine Particle Air Pollution in Bangladesh," which highlights severe public health impacts of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution in the country.
CAPS and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) jointly organised the event. This event presented an evidence-based analysis of the health impacts of air pollution in Dhaka and other major cities, especially Gazipur.
"Bangladesh's air pollution leads to numerous premature births, low birth weights, and childhood deaths annually," said Dr Jamie Kelly, CREA's Air Quality Analyst. "These outcomes highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to protect the most vulnerable. Air pollution also weakens the economy, causing a staggering 266 million sick days each year."
He emphasized that the rising pollution in Dhaka is affecting not only physical health but also mental well-being. The Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) 2024 report indicates that air pollution has reduced the average life expectancy by 2.7 years globally. However, in Bangladesh, the reduction is more severe, with an average life expectancy decrease of 4.8 years.
In 2023, Bangladesh was ranked as the most polluted country in the world. The country's annual average PM2.5 concentration of 79.9 �g/m� is more than double the national standard of 35 �g/m� and 15 times higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO) guideline of 5 �g/m�.
A dashboard introduced at the event allows for real-time monitoring of pollution levels across different cities and districts, promoting informed decision-making and raising public awareness.
PM2.5 contributes significantly to diseases such as ischemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lower respiratory infections, and lung cancer. Young children are particularly vulnerable, with 5,258 deaths each year attributed to PM2.5-related lower respiratory infections.
These health burdens also come with economic costs, including higher healthcare expenses and reduced productivity, which in 2019 amounted to 11 billion USD or 4.4-4.8 per cent of the country's GDP (World Bank, 2023a).
Bangladesh, one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, is facing a severe air pollution crisis. In 2023, it was ranked the most polluted country globally, with an annual average fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration of 79.9 �g/m�-more than double the national standard of 35 �g/m� and 15 times the World Health Organization's (WHO) guideline of 5 �g/m� (IQ Air, 2023).
"Air pollution has become the leading risk factor for premature death in the country, cutting the average life expectancy by nearly five years (AQLI, 2024)," the report claimed.
