Are you aware of the recent report published about Dhaka being the third most polluted city worldwide, with the worst air quality on December 11, 2024?
The environment of the whole world is degrading, but being recognized as one of the top polluted cities is highly concerning. The alarming level is surely threatening to public health, regardless of age. This is not the very first time, though; Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, has always been associated with the air pollution crisis and remained on the top of the list. With these rising pollution levels, safeguarding your and your family’s health and taking health-conscious steps have become paramount in importance.
The report mentioned above depicted that Dhaka scored 264 AQI, which has ranked the air of the city as ‘very unhealthy.’ It claimed that the air of Dhaka contains high levels of particulate matter like PM 2.5, and it can penetrate deep into human lungs and bloodstream. These tiny particles are the result of vehicle emissions, industrial waste, burning of fossil fuels, etc. In the winter season, the situation seems to deteriorate due to stagnant air and the reverse temperature. As a result, the pollutants get trapped in the ground. The matter that the air quality of Dhaka has fallen far below the recommended safe limits is really concerning. Exposure to this kind of setting can lead anyone to respiratory diseases and cardiovascular problems. Furthermore, those who have existing conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and lung cancer can have the problem aggravated.
Following the circumstance, some tips are given below with a view to help you to take effective measures to combat the crisis:
- Limit Outdoor Activities
Limit your outdoor activities if possible. It is very observable that there are certain times when the air quality tends to be worse, for instance, early morning and late evening. The reason can be that these are the starting and ending of official times. Anyways, try to avoid residing outside at these hours if possible. Let your family know about the time zone.
- Don’t Skip Masks
Do not forget to wear masks at any cost. Try to use high-quality masks like N95, which are designed to protect lungs and overall health. These masks can prevent the transfer of microorganisms and particular material. Ensure that all of your family members are wearing them.
- Create a Friendly Environment Inside
The inside house environment isn’t safe from the ongoing pollution crisis as well. Keep the windows and doors of your house closed during the peak pollution hours. Air purifiers with HEPA filters can be used to remove harmful air. Avoid burning candles or using chemical-based cleaning products, which can contribute to pollution.
- Keep Air-Filtering Plants
Keeping your home circumstance clean has been a must. Hence, try to maintain indoor plants to maximize your effort of cleaning your home air. Spider plants, snake plants, peace lilies, sword ferns, bamboo palms, etc. are known to be the best-purifying plants. There are more of these plants you can find information about on the internet. Also, these plants don’t require extensive care.
- Maintain Proper Hygiene
Practice proper hygiene so that some of the adverse effects of air pollution can be mitigated. Wash face and hands on a regular basis, especially after coming from outside. Ensure that all of the members of your family are maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, regular exercise (if possible), and hydration to strengthen the immune system and reduce the pollutants’ impacts.
- Consider Air Quality-Improving Solutions for Vehicles
If you and your family are used to riding in cars, consider installing an air-purifying system in the vehicle to reduce exposure to pollutants while commuting. Additionally, air quality-improving solutions include carpooling, using public transport, or cycling. If the number of vehicles on the road gets reduced, the pollution will also be lessened.
- Create Awareness for Cleaner Air
Advocate for a safe and healthy environment by creating awareness, taking part in the campaigns, helping the defenders of climate. Address the root cause of the problem, advocate for stronger environmental policies and raise your voice whenever you see someone doing something that will aggravate the current pollution crisis.
Taking immediate steps is a must right now considering the Dhaka pollution crisis. The government and some organizations are already working relentlessly to mitigate the devastating effects. At the same time, we all should take initiatives from our respective positions to safeguard ourselves, our family, our city, and our world.
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Writer
Kazi Mirana Mainuddin
Intern, Content Writing Department
YSSE