Monday | 28 April 2025 | Reg No- 06
Bangla
   
Bangla | Monday | 28 April 2025 | Epaper
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Airborne microplastic pollution poses threat to our health 

Published : Monday, 24 March, 2025 at 12:00 AM  Count : 552
Shafiul Ahmed
Bangladesh stands at the forefront of remarkable growth in economic development, infrastructure, and industry. Yet, amidst these triumphs, we face a significant and hidden challenge: airborne microplastic pollution. While the conversation often centers on visible issues like dust, smog, and industrial emissions, there lies a deeper, more intricate challenge that commands our attention. Tiny plastic particles, invisible to the eye yet powerful enough to affect our health, are now intermingling with the air we breathe. It is essential that Bangladesh confronts this challenge boldly, for it silently threatens the health of many and the environment we cherish.

Microplastics, tiny fragments of plastic measuring less than five millimeters, represent a growing concern. While our research has largely focused on these pollutants in oceans and rivers, recent findings reveal their troubling presence in our atmosphere as well. The situation in Bangladesh is especially urgent due to our high plastic consumption, inadequate waste management, and the common practice of burning plastic waste in open areas. This burning is a familiar sight in urban neighborhoods, industrial regions, and along highways. With every flame, toxic fumes and microscopic plastic particles are released into the air, which millions inhale each day.

The sources of airborne microplastics in Bangladesh are diverse. For instance, as vehicle tires wear down, they shed tiny plastic particles that are cast into the air by passing cars. Our vital garment industry also plays a significant role in this crisis, as synthetic fabrics release microfibers during production and wear, adding to the plastic dust in our air. Moreover, construction sites, plastic packaging factories, and poorly managed landfills exacerbate the issue, especially in our bustling cities like Dhaka, Chattogram, and Narayanganj.

The health implications are profound. Once inhaled, microplastics can settle in our lungs and irritate our respiratory pathways. Emerging studies highlight alarming connections between microplastic exposure and chronic respiratory diseases, inflammation, reduced lung function, and even heart problems. In a nation like Bangladesh, where healthcare resources are already stretched thin and many battle respiratory issues from air pollution, the additional burden of microplastics could significantly escalate public health concerns. Our most vulnerable populations-children, street vendors, traffic police, and outdoor workers-face even greater risks, often inhaling higher concentrations of these particles without sufficient protection or awareness.

Despite these pressing threats, airborne microplastics are often overlooked in discussions about environmental policies in Bangladesh. Our air quality monitoring centers around PM2.5 and PM10 particles, leaving microplastics unmeasured and unaddressed. This oversight is troubling. Without the necessary research, measurement, and regulation, the situation will likely deteriorate, imperiling public health and overburdening our healthcare resources in the future. It's time for Bangladesh to confront this hidden challenge with the same tenacity we've shown in addressing other urgent issues like water pollution, climate change, and sanitation.

On an encouraging note, this challenge offers us a chance for transformational change. Bangladesh has the potential to lead in South Asia by taking proactive measures, such as investing in local research on airborne microplastics, integrating microplastic monitoring into our national air quality initiatives, and enforcing strict regulations against open burning and illegal dumping. We can inspire industries, particularly in garment manufacturing, to adopt cleaner technologies that minimize microfiber release. Public education campaigns can reach citizens, empowering them to reduce plastic waste and safeguard their health. Furthermore, enhancing green spaces in urban areas and creating 'green walls' can help absorb harmful pollutants.

Airborne microplastic pollution is a challenge we can no longer afford to overlook. This is not merely an environmental issue; it has evolved into a pressing public health matter. However, through decisive action, commitment to science, and collaboration within our communities, we can rise to this challenge before it spirals out of control. Bangladesh has repeatedly proven its resilience in the face of adversity. Now, we must take bold steps to protect the air we all rely on for our health and well-being, forging a brighter, healthier future together.

The writer is a student, Department of Management, Islamic University, Kushtia


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