The average concentration of PM2.5 particles -- the most harmful air pollutants -- in Dhaka is about 18 times higher than the global health standard, leaving millions of residents struggling for relief.

The World Health Organization recommends a limit of five microgrammes per cubic metre (mcg/m³) of PM2.5, particles smaller than 2.5 micrometres in diameter.

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

A World Bank (WB) presentation revealed that two-thirds of these pollutants are generated locally, while the remaining one-third originates from outside Bangladesh.

The findings were shared at a stakeholders' meeting titled "Air Quality in Bangladesh: Challenges and Solutions", held yesterday at the WB's office.

Eun Joo Allison Yi, senior environment specialist at the WB, said air pollution in Bangladesh affects health at all stages of life -- from premature births and low birth weights to chronic illnesses and premature deaths. In 2019 alone, air pollution caused 1,59,000 premature deaths in the country.

It also contributes to illnesses such as heart disease, respiratory infections, lung cancer, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

The health impacts of air pollution take a heavy toll on the economy, causing 2.5 billion days of illness and economic losses amounting to Tk 1,291–1,409 billion in 2019, she said.

Sources of pollution include households, power plants, brick kilns, open waste burning, road dust, and vehicle emissions, making air pollution one of the most significant environmental risks.

Household emissions from burning solid fuels account for 28 percent of total pollution, posing the greatest threat to rural women.

Other sources include power plants (24pc), brick kilns (12pc), open burning of municipal waste (11pc), road dust (8pc), road transport (4pc), and various other sources (13pc).

Bangladesh's air quality monitoring network currently includes 31 stations, with 16 continuous ambient monitoring stations providing hourly measurements of key pollutants such as PM2.5, PM10, ozone, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides.

Despite these capabilities, controlling air pollution remains a significant challenge as polluters are not compelled to adopt cleaner practices or comply with emissions limits, speakers said.

The government plans to address this issue through a new initiative supported by the WB. The upcoming five-year "Bangladesh Clean Air Project", set to launch in July, aims to reduce annual average PM2.5 levels by 15 mcg/m³ nationwide and by 30 mcg/m³ in Dhaka.

The project will focus on improving air quality governance, reducing emissions, and raising community awareness.