While one might assume that the most polluted country is in Africa, recent findings suggest otherwise. A study conducted by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago has identified Bangladesh as the nation with the most severely polluted air globally.
Bangladesh’s air quality is the worst in the world, primarily due to human activities. These include emissions from solid fuel cooking, industrial wastewater discharge, and runoff from irrigation.
The average level of Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 in Bangladesh is 74 micrograms per cubic meter. In contrast, India, China, and the US report levels of 58.7, 30.2, and 7.8 micrograms per cubic meter, respectively.
According to the World Health Organization’s 2021 Global Air Quality Guidelines, Bangladesh’s average pollution levels correlate with an estimated reduction of 6.8 years in life expectancy per individual.
Factors Contributing to Bangladesh’s Pollution Crisis
- Combustion of Solid Fuels: In rural areas, the frequent use of solid fuels like coal and wood for cooking not only contaminates indoor air but also significantly deteriorates the overall air quality of the country.
- Inadequate Waste Management: The waterways in Bangladesh suffer from severe pollution due to industrial discharge and untreated waste, including plastics and garbage. This pollution not only affects human health but also damages ecosystems, biodiversity, and agricultural productivity.
- Industrial Discharges: Industrial activities, including the release of wastewater and the use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture, exacerbate soil, water, and air pollution.
- Aging Vehicles: Many vehicles in Bangladesh are quite old. These outdated cars and buses contribute to poor air quality due to incomplete fuel combustion and the emission of nitrogen dioxide and other hazardous pollutants. As of April 2024, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority reported that 568,000 registered vehicles lacked a road fitness certificate, an increase of 60,000 since January 2022.
Consequences of Pollution
Bangladesh grapples with severe environmental and health consequences from pollution. According to a World Bank report, air pollution, water contamination, and lead exposure lead to 272,000 preventable deaths and 5.2 billion days of illness each year. Household and outdoor air pollution are particularly detrimental, accounting for 55% of premature deaths. Additionally, lead poisoning results in a loss of 20 million IQ points annually among children.
The pervasive pollution in Bangladesh may be exacerbated by corruption and the overall low quality of life in the country.