Air pollution linked to 242 premature deaths a day in major cities: Study

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution is linked to an estimated 88,240 premature deaths every year across Bangladesh's six major cities, equivalent to around 242 deaths a day, according to a recent Jahangirnagar University study.

The study also estimates annual economic losses of nearly $23 billion, or around Tk2.8 lakh crore.

The findings were unveiled today (15 July) at a press conference at the university's Department of Public Health and Informatics, where Department Chairman and Associate Professor Md Shakhaoat Hossain presented the research.

The study, titled "Mortality and Economic Costs of Ambient Air Pollution in Six Major Cities of Bangladesh", was conducted under his supervision.

It analysed the health and economic impacts of PM2.5 pollution in Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet and Barishal, and was recently published in the journal "Pollution".

The estimated death toll was equivalent to about 260 deaths per 100,000 people in 2021.

The associated economic loss was equivalent to about 5% of Bangladesh's GDP.

Of the estimated pollution-related deaths, 37,519 were linked to heart disease, 8,344 to chronic respiratory diseases and 811 to lung cancer.

City-wise analysis showed Dhaka recorded the highest number of PM2.5-related premature deaths at around 68,703, followed by Chattogram with 11,202, Rajshahi with 2,827, Khulna with 2,625, Sylhet with 1,488 and Barishal with 1,395.

The study found that premature deaths linked to air pollution increased across all six cities between 2013 and 2021.

Dhaka recorded the sharpest increase, with PM2.5-related premature deaths rising by an average of around 3,484 a year. The researchers said the trend reflected worsening urban air quality and the need for effective pollution-control measures.

Shakhaoat said the study showed that air pollution was not only an environmental issue but also a major health and economic concern.

"Our findings serve as a warning for policymakers. Unless effective measures are taken immediately to control air pollution, the health and economic losses will continue to rise," he said.

The study said a significant share of premature deaths and economic losses could be avoided by strictly following the World Health Organization's air-quality guidelines.

The researchers recommended policies to reduce PM2.5 emissions from different sources, strengthen urban air-quality management and take coordinated measures to protect public health.

Ambient air pollution is one of the world's leading environmental risk factors for premature deaths and economic losses.

Rapid urbanisation has increased the risk in Bangladesh, although city-level research on its health and economic impacts remains limited.

The Climate Change, Air Quality and Health Research (C2AHR) Unit at Jahangirnagar University's Department of Public Health and Informatics has been conducting long-term research on the issue.