A report of a vernacular daily published yesterday raised great concern among the city residents. It is that Dhaka had the worst air quality in the world on Thursday. A US-based air quality measuring technological organisation, 'Air Visual', has revealed this alarming information before the citizens. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its terrible dust pollution turns worse every winter posing a serious health hazard to its vast residents. As per experts, the smog from brick kilns, smoke from unfit vehicles and dust generated from public and private construction sites, including those of the mega projects taken by the government, are the main sources of air pollution.

With the worsening air quality comes the threat to public health. Experts have pointed out that with the presence of toxic metals in the air, people of all ages are increasingly susceptible to different breathing ailments. High air pollution often leads to developing asthma, lung cancer, cardiovascular and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders. It is blamed for enhancing the risk of premature birth and low birth weight. It can cause life-threatening health complications for pregnant women. Moreover, the economic cost of deteriorating health of the city residents has to be taken into consideration seriously.