Dhaka world's second-most polluted city

Air pollution still remains one of the top most challenges for Bangladesh -- its capital has been
ranked as the second-most polluted city in the world.
On Saturday, Dhaka occupied the second position in the list of world cities with the worst air quality.
Dhaka's air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 159 around 9.15am, which is considered 'unhealthy'.
The cities of Kolkata and Mumbai in neighbouring India occupied the first and third spots,
respectively, with an AQI of 193 and 158.
An AQI between 100 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy for sensitive groups'. Similarly, an AQI
between 201 and 300 is said to be 'poor', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered 'hazardous',
posing serious health risks to residents.
AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, is used by government agencies to inform people how
clean or polluted the air of a certain city is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for
them.
In Bangladesh, the overall AQI is based on five criteria pollutants – Particulate Matter (PM10 and
PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and Ozone (O3).
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Generally, Dhaka’s air starts getting fresh
when monsoon rains begin in mid-June. The air remains mostly acceptable from June to October.
  
Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. 
Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing heart
disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies.
 
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people
worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
What experts say
Authorities need to chalk out a special action plan to control Dhaka’s terrible dust pollution as it
turns worse every winter, particularly from November to February, posing a serious health hazard to
city dwellers, according to experts.
With the advent of winter, the city’s air quality starts deteriorating sharply due to the massive
discharge of pollutant particles from construction sites, rundown roads, brick kilns and other
sources, they say.
To control dust pollution, they suggest regular sprinkling of water on the city’s roads and stopping
the movement of unfit motor vehicles in the city. They also urge the Bangladesh government to
ensure that all construction sites are covered.
Ainun Nishat, Professor Emeritus at BRAC University, told UNB that dust particles from
construction sites, earth filing and roads, black smoke from overloaded motor vehicles and
traditional brick kilns located on the outskirts of Dhaka are largely responsible for making the city’s
air quality worse in winter.
"So, all traditional brick kilns should be modernised as soon as possible," he added.