Indoor air is also polluted in Dhaka.
The indoor air in the capital Dhaka has also been found to contain dangerous levels of particulate matter. This is increasing the risk of long-term illness and death due to air pollution. Serious health risks such as heart disease, lung cancer, low birth weight, brain development problems and mental health deterioration are being created. Children, the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions including respiratory diseases are at the highest risk.
This information has emerged from a study led by Sakhawat Hossain, head of the Air Quality, Climate Change and Health (ACH) Lab and associate professor in the Department of Public Health and Informatics at Jahangirnagar University. The study measured PM-2.5 pollution levels in 43 homes in Dhaka and determined what to do to control the pollution. The results of the study were published in the journal ‘Indoor Environment’ on October 11 under the title ‘Characterizing Indoor Air Quality at Home Microenvironment in Dhaka City’.
Other members of the research team are Afsana Yasmin, Research Assistant (RA), Imran Ahmed, Maria Haider and Md. Kamal Hossain of ACH Lab and Mohammad Abdul Motalib, Deputy Director (Air Management) of the Department of Environment.
The study found that indoor air pollution in Dhaka is much more worrisome than in many cities around the world. Polluted air from outside enters the house through windows or open spaces, polluting the indoor air as well. The average indoor pollution level in Dhaka is 75.69 micrograms per cubic meter, which is five times the level set by the World Health Organization. In some cases, the pollution level is more than 200 micrograms per cubic meter, which is very risky.
About 40 percent of air pollution occurs due to the entry of outside air. The air in the house is also polluted due to the use of stoves for a long time during cooking. The pollution level is relatively high if the area of the house is more than 1,200 square feet. However, the pollution is less in the case of those who clean their houses regularly.
ACH Lab Head Sakhawat Hossain said that indoor air pollution is the fourth leading cause of death in Bangladesh. According to the 2019 State of Global Air report, more than 70,000 people die every year due to this reason. The risk is higher for women and children, as they spend a lot of time indoors. He also said that windows and ventilation systems should be improved to prevent outdoor polluted air from entering the house. Use high-quality eco-friendly stoves while cooking and ensure air circulation in the kitchen. If the pollution level outside is high, keep the windows closed and use AC, and regularly cleaning the house can reduce pollution to a large extent.
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