Exercise #4 Documentary Reflection

February 21, 2023 By: Nahian Adiba

I was born and brought up in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Despite its many flaws, I am deeply in love with this city. 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 old, the elderly, and people with comorbidities such as diabetes, heart disease, or respiratory conditions are most vulnerable, says a new World Bank report launched today (1). The report finds that the sites with major construction and persistent traffic in Dhaka City have the highest level of air pollution. PM2.5, the most harmful type of particulate matter, is typically 150 percent above WHO Air Quality Guidelines (AQG) at these locations, which is roughly the same as smoking 1.7 cigarettes per day. The second highest concentration of PM2.5 levels is found near brick kilns in Greater Dhaka; that is 136 percent above the WHO AQG—equivalent to smoking 1.6 cigarettes per day (2). Incidence of lower respiratory tract infections was significantly higher among children living near major construction and traffic sites than elsewhere in the country, including near brick kilns. Sylhet Division, which has the cleanest air in the country, still experiences average PM2.5 concentration levels 80 percent above WHO AQG. It is equivalent to smoking 1.2 cigarettes per day (3).

These can clearly indicate the current situation of Dhaka and Bangladesh, as Dhaka has been named the most polluted city in the world. This issue isn’t a new thing. It has been one of the most alarming issues for Bangladesh for a long time, but nothing could make things better; rather, they have become worse now. Perhaps, civil disobedience did not serve properly in this case. People are trying to escape the country as there’s no sign of improvement from the government’s or people’s perspective. I firmly believe Bangladesh can get rid of this issue, maybe not all at once, but with some gradual and effective implementation of rules and some public awareness. I believe that the government alone does not make the country beautiful; it is also the people who can make the nation better and more progressive. So, I firmly believe there’s still hope of getting things better, and we can do it sooner or later.

Works Cited

https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2022/12/03/high-air-pollution-level-is-creating-physical-and-mental-health-hazards-in-bangladesh-world-bank