The public health delivery system in Bangladesh is not getting the proper attention it deserves. Here, health means hospitals, doctors and nurses only. But the issues that are affecting the public health most are not being addressed at all.
Saber Hossain Chowdhury MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, made the observation at a virtual discussion, stressing the need for giving national priority attention to address the issues.
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Energy & Power magazine in collaboration with M2K Technology and Trading organized the discussion on “Air Pollution in Dhaka: Problems and Mitigation Measures” on 30 January 2021. Mollah Amzad Hossain, Editor of EP, moderated the discussion held as part of a series titled “EP Talks”.
Mr. Chowdhury, who is actively engaged with local and global environment issues, said the country is rocking about the Covid pandemic that has so far claimed over 8,000 lives. The country brought the lives and living to a halt due to the pandemic – academic institutions, offices, industries etc. were shut down. Millions of dollars were allocated for purchasing vaccines. A US agency has stated that 1,73,000 people were killed for environment pollution in Bangladesh in 2019. Yet, we are not giving much attention to this silent killer. We must give 10 times more attention to this problem than the pandemic.
He said that the country has identified the brick kilns around Dhaka city as a major source of pollution, but failed to take appropriate actions for doing away with this menace. He said incentive packages have been given to offset the adverse impact of the Covid pandemic. Another silent killer, the tobacco industry is also extracting benefits from there. We must get rid of the dual policy. We talk about air pollution and there are two different areas – indoor air quality and out door. We developed a draft policy for indoor pollution much earlier. But now it is a matter of review whether an integrated new policy would be formulated to update the existing policy. This must get priority and an ordinance must be issued. He pointed out that the Department of Environment (DOE) has huge shortage of trained and skilled human resources.
The environment is also getting polluted as the consequence of development activities and there are also allocations for pollution mitigation measures. But these are not being effectively utilized. Foreign contractors in their own countries cannot work beyond stipulated regulatory guidelines. For ensuring public health in Bangladesh, a policy cell can bring these under control. I believe development and environment protection can coexist. But there is no particular organization in Bangladesh which is entrusted to ensure this very important matter that has adverse environmental impact on public health.
In Singapore, you have to demolish your old car before you are allowed to purchase a new one. Our roads have become supersaturated with automobiles. We must limit and restrict the numbers. Tax is now levied depending on CC of the vehicles. The tax should rather be imposed depending on the limits of emissions. Smart monitoring is now being done at Sunderland Mangrove forest. Similar monitoring can be done at brick kilns and industries either with drones or something else to be more effective.
Dr. Sultan Ahmed, former Secretary of Power Division and former DG of DoE, stated that we would have to keep our nose covered if we could see what are floating in the air. We can avoid an area if rivers and waterways get polluted, but we cannot avoid breathing even if air gets polluted. The maximum air pollution is there within 5-7 feet from the ground. We have our noses at this level. Perhaps we have become habituated. But the situation is alarming. Air pollution is measured under CASE project. Alarming limits have been observed. Cables are being laid under ground excavating roads off and on. City corporations are responsible for restoration of the surfaces. But they are not doing that on time. The vehicular movements are creating dust emissions. We had talks with the city corporations to arrange whether DPDC and DESCO could repair the roads. The High Court issued a directive for spraying water adequately to dust off the air during construction work. This must be monitored. Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has a Clean Fuel Roadmap. Fossil fuel-induced emissions would be gradually phased out. Emissions would be significantly reduced when clean fuel vision will be achieved.
We often listen about not cutting roads during the monsoon for burying utility service lines. But I believe monsoon is the right time for these works. Though it creates mud but still pollution and emissions remain limited during the season. The government incentives can help us transition from traditional bricks to hollow bricks. That would create huge positive impact. Institutional pollution is much greater than individual pollution. If the institutions meticulously oblige to the conditions, NOC emissions would be greatly reduced.
During movement of vehicles on the roads, sulfur, bitumen and carbon particles are spread and emit from friction of wheels with the road surface. We must be careful about quality of tires and top of road surface. The cost of heath sector would be greatly reduced if we can effectively control air pollution. Indirect savings would also be substantial. Our energy and resistance power are diminishing. Department of Environment (DOE), as regulatory organization, must be strengthened.
Energy Researcher and BUET Professor Dr. Ijaz Hoassin mentioned that brick kilns are believed to be responsible for 58% air pollution in Dhaka. It surprises me that though it is known to all, still brick burning is not being stopped. During winter, the wind blows from the North. Consequently, brickfields in Narayanganj as such do not cause air pollution in Dhaka. Our studies stated how far this pollution spreads. If the Kilns in Savar, Ashulia, Gazipur and Tongi could be relocated or stopped, major positive impacts could be visible.
He said that not even 50% solid waste of Dhaka city is collected and disposed properly. The waste upon drying pollutes air or water. There must be inter-ministerial coordination to address the problem. They can issue directives and also arrange policing environmental impact management. Around 20% of the public transports are causing 60% air pollution. This must be brought under control.
Dr. S M Salahuddin, former Executive Director of Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority, said Bangladesh imports automobiles and uses imported fuel. Manufacturers produce automobiles after meeting the specifications. They have manual and maintenance guidelines. But Bangladesh hardly oblige to these. That is why most vehicles plying on the roads do not have fitness. Engine is the most important part. Vehicles emit black smoke for not meeting the schedule of servicing following the manual. It has been categorically mentioned not to drill holes in the chassis. But 30-seat mini buses are converted into 42 seats. People continue to migrate to Dhaka. All mega projects must be completed on time and during execution, Environment Impacts Management protocols must be meticulously observed.
Emission-based registration fees and import duty must be introduced. These are in practice in many countries. Electric cars must be given incentives as they are in many Asian and European countries. Stationary vehicles must not keep running the engines and keep burning fuel.
Prof Dr. Mahmuda Hassan of Al Deen Medical College Hospital observed that people of all ages are badly affected due to air pollution. Carbon, SO2 and particulate materials create huge health hazards. Minor children and pregnant women are mostly vulnerable. Lungs of children are not strong enough after birth. It starts developing with age. Children are less immune. They breathe faster. Hence polluted air affects them most. They are affected by asthma and cannot sleep well. They often cough. The incidents of autism have increased. Air pollution is blamed for this. Bangladesh will benefit getting healthy children and healthy future generation if public health gets well-deserved priority attention. Otherwise, uncertain future would shadow our vision of development.
Mining and Environment Expert Dr. Mushfiqur Rahman opined that, air pollution of Dhaka is partly addressed naturally. We cannot realize it during monsoon. About 1,500 brick kilns of Dhaka are the major contributors of Dhaka’s air pollution. Development works are taking place in many major cities of the world. But in other places, environmental concerns are getting proper attention unlike Dhaka. Possibly Dhaka is the only city where Municipal solid waste is kept piled up on both sides of city streets. Strong environment regulations of Dhaka have been withdrawn. Lands that could yield three crops now produce one. Brick Kiln owners proudly utter that they will keep our businesses going whatever may come in the way. We don’t think there is no meeting of minds about air pollution. There is no lack of data and information or policy and regulations. But where do we lack? We know air pollution is happening. But very little is being done to arrest it. A gap has been created for our failure in bringing pollution at focal point. Heavily concentrated Dhaka is also a major problem. Issues have grown almost to unmanageable proportion. We have to start launching positive action program. There are enough policies and regulations. We have to implement meaningfully. If that can be done, air pollution can definitely be brought under control.
Engr. Khondkar Saleque Sufi, Contributory Editor of EP and former Director (Operation) of GTCL, Petrobangla, joining from Australia listed brick kilns, automobiles, leaking natural gas pipelines, undisciplined construction activities, municipal and industrial wastes as the major sources of pollution. He recollected that natural gas for brick burning used to limit emissions. But since gas supply to brick Kilns were suspended, thousands of dirty coal and other polluting fuel using brick kilns mushrooming around Dhaka city, creating environmental nuisance. The automatic hollow brick manufacturing started in Dhaka in late 1970s. But unfortunately it did not get momentum. He said air pollution control in isolation would not bring meaningful dividends. There must be comprehensive and coordinated approach for controlling and mitigating air, water, sound pollution, grid locks, and waste management. For this, planned urbanization is essential. Present development process must induce urban to rural reverse migration. It has become almost impossible managing all services for the mega city dwellers with almost 20 million of population. People in general must be made more responsible and conscious about environment. He said in developed countries, school students are given special guidance about environment. The government alone cannot address all issues. Media must play more proactive role in this regard. The government is endeavoring to confront and manage with limited resources.
