Business leaders adopt air quality monitoring in Bangladesh

In response to escalating air pollution levels in Bangladesh, business leaders Shayaan Seraj (Group Director of Elite Steel & Aqua Paints) and Boudewijn Sterk have initiated a project to monitor air quality by installing sensors in key locations nationwide.

The initiative involves deploying air quality sensors in strategic areas to provide real-time data on pollution levels. One such sensor, installed in Gulshan Society Lake Park in Dhaka, has attracted over 10,000 followers on the IQAir Visual app, indicating significant public interest in air quality information.
Recognising the need for comprehensive data, additional sensors have been installed in Cox's Bazar and Sylhet. This expansion aims to offer a broader understanding of air quality across Bangladesh, facilitating informed decisions by the public and policymakers.

Air pollution poses substantial economic challenges for Bangladesh. A World Bank report estimated that environmental pollution, including air pollution, cost the country the equivalent of 17.6% of its GDP in 2019. This encompasses health-related expenses and reduced productivity due to pollution-induced illnesses.

Business leaders like Seraj and Sterk's involvement underscores the private sector's potential to contribute to environmental solutions. By investing in air quality monitoring, they aim to provide data that can inform policies and initiatives to improve air quality, thereby enhancing public health and economic stability.