People residing in various areas in Dhaka are exposed to nightmarish experiences as they have been facing environmental hazards for long because of air pollution. A sharp drop in temperatures and wind speed, dust from building sites and smoke from the burning of waste have deteriorated the capital's air quality.
As reported by this daily on Monday, emissions of fine particles; flying dust from construction on the roads is causing environmental havoc in many parts of the country. With the onset of winter, air quality every year dips to its worst as finer dust participles fill the air around the city roads, especially where construction works are in progress.
Dhaka has repeatedly been labelled as one of the 10 most polluted cities in the world but it is disconcerting to note that city authorities hitherto have not integrated any consistent and prudent action to address air pollution in the capital.
Air pollution has turned
into a major public health
concern in Dhaka
Over the last years, air pollution has turned into a major public health concern in the capital. Experts warn of long-term respiratory diseases as well as serious health problems due to dust pollution unless city environment is made cleaner.
Air pollution should be a key issue that authorities concerned must address in the sphere of sustainable construction. It is time to implement necessary laws to compel the builders and constructors to build roads and buildings following rules and regulations. Government, policy makers, civil society, the private sector and even individuals must play their role to control unusual growth of dust as well as other air pollutants.
Of late, the capital city of Bangladesh has been ranked the worst in the Air Quality Index (AQI). Such a severe air quality rating for Dhaka should force the authorities concerned towards a decisive shift in policy.