Death by pollution

When over 2.15 lakh people die in a year from pollution related ailments, one has to take the aspect of environment degradation and the resulting impact on human health extremely seriously. A new global study by the highly regarded medical journal, The Lancet, revealed that pollution of different elements of nature resulted in the premature deaths of over 2.15 lakh people in Bangladesh in 2019 alone. The breakdown of the figure shows that nearly 1.75 lakh people died due to air pollution, while over 30,000 deaths occurred because of water pollution—Bangladesh also ranked sixth among countries seeing premature deaths because of pollution. By any standard, these are scary numbers.

We are concerned at the deteriorating condition of air quality in the country, especially in the major cities, which is largely contributing to health impediments including deaths from respiratory tract infection. We are aware that stories of our unrestrained air pollution often hit the headlines in global newspapers, but unfortunately, many of the visible sources of air pollution continue to do damage before the very eye of the administration.   

The Lancet study further tells us that pollution in the water bodies has reached a horrific level, contributing to different types of ailments and deaths as well. Many other local studies also identified contaminated water as the main contributor to life-threatening illnesses of the intestines such as diarrhoea, cholera and typhoid. We may mention the cases of the recent bout of diarrhoea and cholera in the metropolis which experts relate to polluted drinking water. In fact, the colour and smell of water in every reservoir reek of high concentration of micro-pollutants. 

The environmentalists of the country also told us about the hazards of lead pollution on human health originating from the industries and small factories across the country, which is directly linked to heart disease, cancer, skin disease, respiratory problems and various other illnesses. Experts say that environment pollution has deteriorated to such a level that even unborn babies are paying the price. Therefore, the pertinent question: How to address the pervasive pollution menace? They believe considering the intensity of the problem, we seem to be inadequately prepared and concerned.

The government needs to urgently implement the laws of the land strictly in order to save our air, water, soil, fish, animals and human lives. It is a travesty that things have gotten to this point; but it would be an even bigger crime to let them continue like this.