Research initiative aims to strengthen air quality monitoring in underserved areas

OBHIZATRIK Foundation, in collaboration with the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), has launched an 18-month research project aimed at strengthening community-level air pollution monitoring and improving public access to reliable air quality information in Dhaka.

The project, “Breathing Dhaka: Open-Access Hyperlocal PM₂.₅ Monitoring in Dhaka’s Underserved Communities for Evidence-Based Air Quality Policy,” is supported by the Air Quality Fund 2026 of the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC).

The inception meeting of the initiative was held at the Department of Environment (DoE), Poribesh Bhaban, Agargaon, Dhaka on Tuesday.

The meeting was attended by Dr Md Lutfor Rahman, director general of the Department of Environment, as the chief guest, and Prof Dr ATM Nurul Amin, emeritus professor of Urban Environmental Management, Department of Development and Sustainability, as the special guest, and was chaired by Farid Ahmed, deputy director of the Department of Environment.

Dr Md Lutfor Rahman emphasized the importance of strengthening air quality monitoring initiatives to address the growing challenges of air pollution in Dhaka. He expressed hope that collaborative initiatives such as “Breathing Dhaka” would generate valuable evidence to support effective air pollution management and contribute to improving the city's air quality.

Ahmed Imtiaz Jami, president of OBHIZATRIK Foundation, presented an overview of the project's objectives, implementation strategy, and expected outcomes. Professor Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, chairman of CAPS and technical lead of the project, presented the technical framework, monitoring approach, and proposed implementation process.

Dr Mohammad Abdul Motalib, deputy director of the Air Quality Management Division at the Department of Environment, emphasised the importance of proper instrument calibration, post-collection data validation, and community engagement to ensure reliable monitoring results and effective project implementation. He also highlighted the need for behavioural change initiatives to complement technological interventions in addressing air pollution.

Ahmed Imtiaz Jami, president of OBHIZATRIK, said, his foundation has been working with underserved communities, many of whom are disproportionately exposed to environmental pollution and its associated health risks.

“Through ‘Breathing Dhaka’, we aim to generate accessible, community-level air quality information while strengthening collaboration with government institutions, research organizations, and development partners. We believe that reliable data, public awareness, community participation, and behavioural change are essential to building healthier and more resilient communities.”

Dr ATM Nurul Amin, while emphasising the importance of connecting scientific research with practical action, said, scientific data collection is essential, but meaningful research must go beyond monitoring. “We must engage local communities and translate scientific evidence into effective policies to ensure lasting impact.”

Professor Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder presented the technical framework and monitoring approach. He said, “Breathing Dhaka” will establish eight PM₂.₅ monitoring stations in underserved and pollution-prone areas of Dhaka.