EMK Center holds discussion on air pollution

EMK Center on Wednesday, organised a webinar to understand the potential health risks of air pollution marking the Air Quality Awareness Week from 3 May to 7 May.

Among all mortality risk factors, air pollution is at fourth position globally, said a press release. 

"Air pollution is one of our era's greatest threats, affecting not only climate change but also public and individual health through increased morbidity and mortality," said Professor Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, the dean of Faculty of Science and chairman of Department of Environmental Science at Stamford University Bangladesh.

Dr Majumder added, "Due to urbanization and commercialization in early years, people constructed new buildings by brick fields and bought cars which is one of the main reasons of air pollution. Thus the life expectancy of the people of Bangladesh has decreased. Children, the elderly, people with existing diseases, and low-income communities are vulnerable to adverse health outcomes and economic impacts for air pollution. We should come forward to work together to discover solutions in reducing air pollution such as renewable fuel and clean energy production etc."

"Asthma, lung cancer, ventricular hypertrophy, autism, retinopathy, fetal growth and other diseases are all caused by air pollution. Respiratory diseases, heart disease, and lung cancer are all increased by it. Short and long-term exposure to air pollution has been linked to risky health outcomes. Youths have to come up with new and innovative solution to stop air pollution." said Prof Dr Mahbuba Nasreen, director of the Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies of Dhaka University.

The webinar was moderated by Abu Shadat Md Sayem, president of Dhaka University Environment Society. 

The discussion was followed by a short question answer session that focused on the ways to be safe from air pollution.