FROM PAGE 3

When asked about action against polluters, Azaz admitted that government contractors are among the main contributors, particularly for failing to cover construction sites. “We are now taking this issue seriously and will take action,” he said.

DHAKA’S ALARMING AIR QUALITY

The average concentration of PM2.5 -- the most harmful air pollutants -- in Dhaka is about 18 times higher than the global standard.

The World Health Organization recommends a limit of five microgrammes per cubic metre of PM2.5, particles smaller than 2.5 micrometres in diameter.

However, in 2023, the average concentration in the greater Dhaka area was 92 mcg/m³.

A World Bank presentation revealed that two-thirds of these pollutants are generated locally, while the rest come from outside Bangladesh. The findings were shared at a stakeholders’ meeting titled “Air Quality in Bangladesh: Challenges and Solutions” at its office on January 26.

Sources include households, power plants, brick kilns, open waste burning, road dust, and vehicle emissions.

Household emissions from burning solid fuels account for 28 percent of pollution, posing a huge threat to rural women.

Other sources include power plants (24%), brick kilns (12%), waste burning (11%), road dust (8%), and transport (4%).

WHAT EXPERTS SAY

Prof Mostafizur Rahman of Jahangirnagar University’s Department of Environmental Sciences said the air purifier initiative is not a practical solution. “This is just an attempt to bypass the real problem,” he said.

“A few purifiers cannot reduce Dhaka’s pollution. Their effectiveness, cost, and lifespan must be carefully evaluated before installation.”

He noted that while a purifier may reduce pollution within a small perimeter, it won’t have a significant impact in an open environment like Dhaka, where air constantly moves. “I have no confidence in this approach. It’s not a real environmental solution,” he said.

Rahman added that recent studies show high levels of silicon particles in Dhaka’s air, pointing to dust from construction sites as a major contributor. Other sources include vehicle emissions, industrial activity, and tire friction.

“The layout of Dhaka -- with its mix of high-rises and low buildings -- also restricts airflow, further worsening air quality,” he said.

Adil Mohammed Khan, president of Bangladesh Institute of Planners, echoed similar concerns. “With the level of pollution in Dhaka, these purifiers won’t work and will just waste money,” he said.

“India tried this in Delhi with no effective results, as air moves from one place to another. The government should focus on long-term solutions,” he said.

Asked, the DNCC administrator said the city corporation is not spending any money for the project. If the pilot project fails, they will not proceed with the initiative any further, he added.