Child deaths caused by air pollution have reached alarming levels in Bangladesh, becoming a silent epidemic.
A new report by international research organisation Zero Carbon Analytics (ZCA) titled “Structural Dependencies Perpetuate Disproportionate Childhood Health Burden from Air Pollution,” reveals that air pollution is now the second leading cause of death among children under five, following malnutrition.
The report highlights that over a quarter of all child deaths in this age group are linked to polluted air, with Bangladesh among the most severely affected countries.
The report stresses that children in least developed countries face a 94 times higher risk of dying from air pollution compared to those in developed nations.
Researchers attribute this disparity to long-standing dependence on fossil fuels and pollution-reliant infrastructure.
The study shows that household and brick kiln pollution are key contributors to Bangladesh’s air pollution crisis, which led to over 19,000 child deaths in 2021 alone, equating to nearly two deaths every hour.
Dr Sajid Hossain Khan, a physician at the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest & Hospital, said, “Air pollution is one of the biggest threats to children’s health in Bangladesh and across the world today. We know that exposure to polluted air contributes to respiratory diseases and other complications. Clean air is as essential as clean water. To ensure our children survive, grow up healthy, and thrive, we must take decisive action now to reduce air pollution.”
Pollution from industries, brick kilns, coal power plants, and vehicle exhaust is creating severe health risks for children in Bangladesh.
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from brick kilns significantly increases the risk of pneumonia in children under five.
Additionally, indoor air pollution from burning wood, dung, and coal is poisoning households, especially affecting pregnant women, newborns, and young children.
The report indicates that mothers using high-polluting fuels face a 2.6 times higher risk of giving birth to low-weight babies, and children exposed to such pollution are more likely to experience delayed cognitive development.
Nigerian pediatrician Dr Zainab Yaro said, “One of the strongest vaccines we can give a child is clean air. Worldwide, air pollution silently robs children of the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive. When a child struggles to breathe, it is not just a health issue, it is a form of social and environmental injustice. Ensuring clean and safe air in children’s homes and communities must be the top priority.”
The report also highlights the stark contrast between global investment in fossil fuel subsidies and efforts to tackle air pollution.
Between 2018 and 2022, the world spent an average of $593 billion per year on fossil fuel subsidies, yet less than one percent of this amount was allocated to combating air pollution.
Joanne Bentley-McKune,the report’s lead researcher, added, “Air pollution is not just an environmental issue , it is now a question of justice. Children are dying because of energy and economic systems they did not create.”
The report calls for transformative measures to protect children’s health, including upgrading brick kiln technology, which could save more in health costs than the investment required. Transitioning to clean cookstoves could prevent over 16,000 child deaths annually. The study urges an urgent shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy to safeguard the future of children and the nation.
