Air pollution kills 242 people daily, costs Bangladesh $23b a year: Study

Air pollution caused by fine particulate matter (PM2.5) kills an estimated 242 people every day across Bangladesh's six major cities and costs the economy around $23 billion annually, according to a new study by researchers at Jahangirnagar University.

PM2.5 refers to tiny airborne particles measuring 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter that can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream.

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The study estimates that PM2.5 pollution causes about 88,240 premature deaths each year across Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet and Barishal -- equivalent to roughly 260 deaths per 100,000 people.

Researchers estimated the annual economic loss from PM2.5 pollution at nearly $23 billion, or about Tk 2.8 trillion at the current exchange rate, representing around 5 percent of Bangladesh's gross domestic product (GDP).

The study analysed data from 2013 to 2021 and was conducted by the Climate Change, Air Quality and Health Research (C2AHR) Unit under the Department of Public Health and Informatics at Jahangirnagar University.

Led by Associate Professor Dr Md Sakhawat Hossain, chair of the department, the study was recently published in the international journal Pollution, published by the University of Tehran Press.

According to the findings, ischemic heart disease -- also known as coronary artery disease -- accounted for the largest share of PM2.5-related deaths, claiming an estimated 37,519 lives annually. Chronic respiratory diseases were linked to another 8,344 deaths, while lung cancer accounted for 811 deaths a year.

Dhaka recorded the highest number of PM2.5-related premature deaths, with an estimated 68,703 annually, followed by Chattogram with 11,202. Rajshahi recorded 2,827 deaths, Khulna 2,625, Sylhet 1,488 and Barishal 1,395.

The researchers found that PM2.5-related premature deaths increased steadily across all six cities between 2013 and 2021. Dhaka recorded the sharpest rise, with such deaths increasing by an average of about 3,484 cases a year, highlighting the worsening state of urban air quality and the need for stronger pollution control measures.

"We often view air pollution simply as an environmental issue. However, our research shows that it causes around 88,000 premature deaths each year and economic losses equivalent to about 5 percent of Bangladesh's GDP," said Dr Sakhawat, the study's lead author.

"Our findings should serve as a warning for policymakers. Without immediate and effective interventions to control air pollution, the country's health and economic burden will continue to grow," he added.

The study also found that a significant share of the premature deaths and economic losses could be be avoided if Bangladesh fully implemented the World Health Organization's Air Quality Guidelines.

The researchers recommended adopting evidence-based air pollution control policies, reducing PM2.5 emissions from major sources, strengthening integrated urban air quality management, and taking coordinated action to protect public health.