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Download PDF A serious health hazard looms over the residents of Dhaka and Chittagong metropolises as the particulate pollutants in the air are more than double the level recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The EPA guidelines say presence of particulate matters (PM) 10 and PM2.5 should remain within 150 and 65 microgram per cubic metre (mg/m3) of air within 24 hours.
But the level of pollutants is much higher in the two metropolitan cities and gets worse with the advent of winter.
The monthly average of PM concentration as recorded by the Air Quality Management Project (AQMP) at different locations in the capital shows the level of PM in the air is the highest in winter.
The AQMP says the reason for this is climatic conditions as air pollution begins to worsen by the end of October and continues until the onset of rains.
Statistics recorded last winter through continuous air monitoring stations and satellite equipment show very high levels of PM in different parts of the city.
The PM10 concentration in Tejgaon last December was 354 mg/m3, while PM2.5 in the same area was 240 mg/m3, both more than double the level recommended by EPA.
Statistics indicate the situation was worse in January this year when the level of PM10 in Tejgaon rose to 428 mg/m3 and PM2.5 to 303 mg/m3. In Tongi PM10 was recorded at 369 mg/m3 and PM2.5 at 275 mg/m3 and in Lalbagh the level was 350 mg/m3 and at 232 mg/m3 respectively.
These are all higher than average levels prevailing throughout the rest of the year. The same situation prevails in the port city of Chittagong.
The level of PM2.5 in Lalbagh last month was recorded at 171 mg/m3, which the AQMP categorises as hazardous to public health.
Both particulate matters 10 and 2.5 cause serious health hazards. The PM10 is usually present in the smoke created by burning of wood and can penetrate deep into the cardiovascular system. The PM2.5 generally arises from burning of fossil fuels and has a strong association with circulatory diseases.
According to experts at the Department of Environment, faulty vehicles, brick kilns, dust from roads and construction sites and toxic fumes from industries are the sources of PM10 and Pm2.5.
AQMP Director Dr Mohammad Nasiruddin suggests that faulty and unfit diesel-run vehicles be phased out and environment friendly technology be introduced.
He said diesel-run vehicles contribute about 60 percent of the particulate matters, while brick kilns account for another 25-30 percent.
These particulate matters may cause bronchial and kidney diseases and even lung cancer, he added.
National Institute of Diseases of Chest and Hospital (NIDCH) sources say the number of asthma and related patients increases during winter. City clinics and hospitals are already crammed with patients complaining of various respiratory problems.
Children, especially those under the age of one, are the worst sufferers of respiratory complications during winter.
Prof Abed Hossain Mollah, head of the paediatric department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), said, “At least six to seven children suffering from bronchitis are being admitted to the hospital every day.”
“The number of asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients has doubled in the last two weeks, with about 18 to 20 admissions every day,” said Asif Mujtaba Mahmud, associate professor at NIDCH.
December 9th, 2007 at 6:08 am
[...] Pollution alarming in Dhaka, CtgBy Bangladesh NewsA serious health hazard looms over the residents of Dhaka and Chittagong metropolises as the particulate pollutants in the air are more than double the level recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). …Bangladesh News - http://www.bangladeshnews.com.bd [...]
December 9th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
hi i am shaif hassan from dhaka
its our city and we have to deal a sufficient enviorment for us and our next generation.
that’s why we need a planning to live.
its our govment respons to get a nice ecviorment for our people.
dhaka city is very risky for us to life lead.
we need a plan………………..
we need activety………………
we need honesty also………….
so,if we want to live,we have to do something about…………………..