Assessment of Health Impacts of Particulate Matter (PM2.5) on the Vulnerable Groups in the Central part of Bangladesh

Abstract Particulate matter (PM2.5) is one of the critical sources for outdoor air pollution and poses the most significant public health threat. In Bangladesh, particularly in the major urban cities, PM2.5 has been identified as a significant public health hazard. This research aims to perform a spatiotemporal mapping of PM2.5 from 2002–2019 to identify the hotspots in central Bangladesh and to estimate the health impacts on pregnant women and population aged 60+. A time-series of remotely sensed PM2.5 is used in hotspot analysis, applying Geographic Information Systems (GIS). To explore the health impacts due to PM2.5, a questionnaire survey is conducted on pregnant women and population aged 60 + in both high- and low-spots zones. A Mann-Whitney U test of non-parametric statistical analysis is conducted to understand the mean impacts. The findings of this research reveal that the annual concentration of PM2.5 is increased by 47% during 2002–2019. Most of the high hotspot zones are identified in the middle of the study areas; the core urban areas of Dhaka, Narayanganj, and Gazipur Districts. The traffic vehicles, urbanization, construction and brickfield activities, and industrial emissions are the main controlling factors for increasing PM2.5. Further, the health impacts of both pregnant and population 60+ are higher in the high-spot zone than in the low-spot area. Note that pregnant women have less PM2.5 related information than 60+ population in both high- and low-spot zones. On the policy applications, the relevant departments may utilize these findings for health hazard risk reduction and local and regional air pollution mitigation.