Estimation of air pollutants from different sectors: A case analysis of Dhaka city

• Main Authors: Mou, Fariha Islam, Ishmam, Zuhayr Shahid, Islam, Towhidul
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air pollution; Air quality; Carbon monoxide; Chemical industry; Combustion; Data analysis; Economic impact; Emissions; Kilns; Nitrogen dioxide; Nitrogen oxides; Outdoor air quality; Particulate emissions; Pollutants; Public health; Road transportation; Sulfur dioxide; Toll roads; Transportation industry; Vehicle emissions; Weather forecasting
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0129960

The air quality in Dhaka, Bangladesh’s highly populated metropolis and capital have deteriorated to the point where it has been designated as one of the most polluted cities in the world. Therefore, air pollution is being regarded as a major concern since it is linked to public health. In Dhaka, the two major causes of air pollution are industrial and traffic emissions. Thousands of ready-made garment manufacturers (RMG), chemical industries, brick kilns, pharmaceutical industries, and other industrial emission sources contribute to the air pollution of Dhaka city. For years, air pollution has taken its toll on Bangladesh, claiming lives and creating economic losses as well as environmental risks connected to pollution, prompting experts to be concerned about the future. Air pollution-related fatalities and diseases have been on the rise in recent years, according to current studies and research, worsening people’s misery, notably children, women, and the elderly. Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and Ozone (O3) are the five key pollutants used to calculate the total Air Quality Index (AQI) in Bangladesh. This study performs a systematic assessment to estimate the changes of three major air pollutants (CO, NOx, and SO2) using fifth-generation ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) atmospheric reanalysis dataset produced by the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). The analysis has been conducted over a historical period of 20 years ranging from 2001 to 2020. Emission changes of Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), and Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) from different sectors-road transportation, industrial, residential, commercial, and other combustion, have been addressed in this study. After data analysis, it has been discovered that in the industrial sector, all three pollutants are on the increasing trend. Whereas in the road transportation sector, CO and NOx emission is on the rise, SO2 emission is on the decrease. Moreover, CO and NOx emission from the residential, commercial and other combustion sectors is increasing by the day, while on the contrary, SO2 emission is decreasing. Air pollutants can endanger humans and other animals’ health, harm flora, and structures, or pollute the environment. The purpose of this study is to discuss the current state of air pollution in Dhaka, as well as to provide some recommendations for making the city a better place to live by lowering air pollution. The study findings can be a