Air pollution costs Bangladesh up to 4.4% of its GDP in 2019: World Bank
Highlights:
- Air pollution led to more than 70,000 deaths
- Caused 1 billion days with illness
- Significantly increase mental health risks
- Dhaka most polluted
- Sylhet least polluted, but doesn't meet WHO standards
Bangladesh's economic losses from air pollution are estimated between 3.9% and 4.4% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019, said a World Bank report on Sunday.
Air pollution was the second largest risk factor leading to deaths and disability in Bangladesh in 2019, causing about 78,145 to 88,229 deaths and between 1 to 1.1 billion days with illness.
The report states that exposure to high levels of air pollution significantly raises the risks of breathing difficulties, cough, lower respiratory tract infections, as well as depression and other health conditions.
Children under five years, the elderly, and people with comorbidities such as diabetes, and heart or respiratory conditions, are most vulnerable.
The report "Breathing Heavy: New Evidence on Air Pollution and Health in Bangladesh" assessed the impacts of outdoor air pollution on physical and mental health in Dhaka and Sylhet.
The report finds that the sites with major construction and persistent traffic in Dhaka have the highest level of air pollution. At these locations, the fine particulate matter (PM), which is considered most hazardous to health, is on average equivalent to smoking about 1.7 cigarettes per day or 150% above the WHO Air Quality Guidelines (AQG),
The second highest concentration of PM levels is found near brick kilns in Dhaka, which is 138% above the WHO AOG equivalent to smoking 1.5 cigarettes per day.
"Air pollution causes the climate to change, and climate change worsens air quality. Over time, climate change and urbanisation will further intensify air pollution," World Bank Health Specialist Wameq Azfar Raza, lead of the report, said presenting the findings of research at an event held at the Renaissance Dhaka Gulshan Hotel on Sunday .
"The health sector needs to be well prepared to deal with the imminent health crisis arising from air pollution and climate change," Wameq Azfar Raza added.
Incidence of lower respiratory tract infections was significantly higher among children living near major construction and traffic congested areas than elsewhere in the country, including near brick kilns. Sylhet Division, which has the cleanest air in the country, still experiences average PMs concentration levels 80% above WHO AQG.
"Ambient air pollution puts everyone at risk, from a child to the elderly. In 2019, air pollution was the second largest cause of deaths and disability in Bangladesh and cost about 3.9 to 4.4% of the country's GDP," said the acting World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, Dandan Chen.
Dhaka is the most polluted division whereas Sylhet is the least polluted. From 2018 to 2021, Dhaka was ranked as the second most polluted city in the world.
The western regions – Khulna and Rajshahi are more polluted than the eastern ones – Sylhet and Chattogram.
The study finds that a 1% increase in exposure to PMs above the WHO AQG is associated with a 20% higher probability of being depressed.
On this event, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, member of the parliament, and chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said to control air pollution from January next year in Savar, Dhamrai, Doha and Kaliakair of Gazipur districts. Measures will be taken to identify those brick kilns that cause more pollution. Indoor air pollution also needs to be controlled to improve air quality, he said.
Health Services Division Secretary Dr Muhammad Anowar Hossain Howlader said air pollution cannot be reduced due to the influentials. While performing their duties in some places, government employees have to face various embarrassing situations including being a victim of lawsuits.
To reduce air pollution impacts on health, the World Bank recommended immediate actions, including improving public health services and response mechanisms, improving air pollution data monitoring systems, investing in early warning systems, and engaging in further research.
Urgent actions will include improving the public health service platform to provide curative care and promoting preventive health care. Community-level screening for persistent coughs and breathing difficulties for people living in air pollution hotspots will help the government address emerging health issues. Close monitoring of air quality data and further research will help devise effective measures to deal with the health impacts of air pollution.
