Status of Gaseous Air Pollutants in Biomass Burning Smoke from Agricultural Field in Bangladesh

This study was carried out to determine the concentrations of gaseous air pollutants (CH4, PM2.5, PM10, CO2, CO, Cl2, NH3, SO2, NO2) and its multifaceted effects on human health in various locations in Bangladesh. As Bangladesh is an agricultural country, agricultural biomass burning is a common practice here and this incident typically occurs during the dry season from October to March. Therefore, this study was conducted in seven different areas in dry season where biomass (water hyacinth) was burnt mainly in the river land areas. In this paper, the health impact of biomass burning smoke from agricultural field was examined on the exposed people to the burning pollutants. These pollutants have adverse effects on human health contributing to respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and other health issues. Considering all types of pollutants, excessive amounts of PM2.5, PM10, CH4, and SO2 are present in the air. In this study, pollutant concentration methods, spatial distribution methods and exposures assessment methods were used to prepare the project work. From the URB AIR guidebook, the mortality and morbidity were calculated and the results of mortality of excess death high exposure were 68, moderate exposure 32 and average exposure 100. Additionally, Pearson correlation was conducted to find out a relationship among the pollutants including positive correlation between PM2.5 and SO2 (r = 0.777, p 10 and SO2 (r = 0.725, p 2 and CO (r = −0.868, p 10 and CH4 (r = −0.891, p < 0.01). Promoting sustainable biomass management, educating communities and providing healthcare facilities with resources and training to recognize and address health issues related to biomass burning exposure may be the best recommendations in the context of reducing pollution level, environmental damage and health risk.