Posing an alarming public health concern, the thick layer of dust covering the capital Dhaka originating from construction works, rundown roads and many other sources has now taken a serious turn. As the city always remains blanketed by a thick layer of dust, the situation is becoming bad to worse at the advent of winter, a diametrically opposed situation that would seriously affect the public health.
Such worrisome health-harming condition has necessitated to immediately take effective steps by the authorities concerned to reduce the dust before the situation turns beyond control, experts said. The dust is swirling everywhere due to construction of roads, buildings and footpaths and the absence of monitoring and enforcement of laws.
The construction work is going on at different parts of the capital without maintaining the directive from the High Court. Dust pollution is taking a serious turn due to the construction work of metro rail and Dhaka Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). New Delhi is the most discussed city for air pollution in the recent time. The authority announced environmental emergency in the city more than once. On the other hand, Dhaka experienced worst air quality index, crossing the Delhi several times.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change takes step only when the situation becomes dangerous, goes beyond the control. Then, different concerned authorities start spraying water on city roads. However, it is very insufficient comparing to the sources of water.
Directorate of Environment (DoE) on November 20 issued a public warning notice on air pollution when the air quality of Dhaka had been ranked the worst in the Air Quality Index (AQI) for the past several days. Public notice of DoE stated that the particle matters coming from road dust and soil dust, vehicles, burning of biomass, orthodox brick kilns around and inside the capital are responsible for air pollution in Dhaka. The DoE also suggested proper maintaining of ‘Brick Manufacturing and Brick Kiln Establishment (Control) Act 2013 (revised 2019)’ to check pollution by brick kilns.
After analyzing the air quality index of Dhaka, it has been observed that the pollution is much higher at night compared to daytime. Although the pollution slightly has reduced due to various activities taken by the government, it starts increasing in the afternoon. Dhaka has been facing severe pollution overnight after 9:00pm. On last Thursday, Air Visuals' ranking of Dhaka was on the top of the list of pollution for an hour.
On December 4 at 2:00pm, Dhaka’s air quality was measured 132 AQI and on 9:00pm it was measured 192 AQI, which is considered as extremely unhealthy according to the standards for Bangladesh (NAAQS). The air quality is categorized as good when the AQI score remains between 0-50 while the air is moderate when score is 51-100. When the number is between 101 and 150, the air is classified as unhealthy for sensitive groups. When the AQI value is between 201 and 300, every city dweller may begin to experience health effects.
Although two city corporations in Dhaka spray water on city roads, it is not effective at all. Because, the roads become dusty within two to three hours after spraying water. Environment, Forest and Climate Affairs Minister Shahab Uddin said, “The city corporations’ spraying water does not suffice at all. This does not reduce air pollution. We have decided to pour water from above like a shower.”
He said this after an inter-ministerial meeting on Monday. But after that meeting, there was no change in the way of water spraying on the roads.