In the megacity of Dhaka, Bangladesh, the air quality on some days can get downright dangerous. Levels of PM2.5, fine particulate matter linked to heart, lung and cognitive issues, often exceed safe health standards.
“In Bangladesh, we have a national standard, it’s about 65 micrograms per cubic metre [µg/m3] for 24 hours,” said Riaz Hossain Khan, assistant scientist at BRAC University in Dhaka. But during the dry season, it’s much worse.
“If you measure something during December or January, these months, you’ll find close to 250 or 300.”
Experts say that’s resulting in kids struggling to breathe on smoggy days, and more middle-aged people developing
