Noxious Dhaka air Take measures to clean it up THE pollution level of Dhaka city's air is worsening at an alarming rate with varied types of toxic pollutants being released in the air regularly from different sources. Exhaust fumes from faulty engines of motorised vehicles, especially diesel engines, remain the number one cause behind release of large amount of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide and lead particles. Thus, one can clearly perceive the consequence in terms of air quality when the number of motorised vehicles keeps increasing by ten percent annually in the city alone. The constant increase of vehicles is also contributing to severe jam on the streets, which again causes burning of fuel in large amount in the stranded vehicles. The other sources from where lethal particles find their way into the air are brick kilns, road dust and fumes from chemical industries. Though there are regulations obligating industries to minimise emission of noxious fumes, these are hardly complied with as there is conspicuous lack of enforcement. Never ending construction of brick structures in the urban areas results in fine dust flying into the air to the irritation of citizens who are forced to inhale it on a daily basis. The sight of people on the roads covering their noses to keep off the dust is only negligible in comparison with a great majority who are fully exposed to it. Health experts are of the opinion that the extremely low quality air in Dhaka is contributing to various diseases of the respiratory tract and other organs, such as, eye and throat. Besides, asthma, high blood pressure and heart ailment are caused. Because of their vulnerable state of health, children and older citizens fall victim to air pollution more easily than people of other age groups. It is disconcerting to note that high content of lead in air adversely affects mental functioning of children. Air pollution is not a scourge that cannot be prevented or scaled down through the application of modern devices, but to do that what is required is comprehensive knowledge about the nature of the problem and a pragmatic policy to address it. We urge the government to keep urban air pollution on the priority list in order to ensure a better and healthier life for the citizens. (Editorial)