Assessing air quality across urban zones of Gopalganj, Bangladesh during the winter season

The objective of this study is to monitor the Particulate Matters (PM₁, PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) concentration based on different land use in Gopalganj district town. This study was conducted in 59 locations of Gopalganj district town, by using portable Air Quality Monitor and portable CO Meter. The Department of Environment established the Bangladesh National Air Quality Standard (BNAAQS), which sets PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ levels at 65 and 150 µg/m³, respectively and for CO is 9 ppm. It is found that average concentrations of PM₁, PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ of 59 places in Gopalganj district town were 44.88, 74.58 and 95.96 µg/m³ respectively. It is estimated that the average PM₂.₅/PM₁₀ was 77.60%, PM₁/PM₂.₅ was 60.44%. The average concentration of CO found in the most polluted place was 1.29 times higher than NAAQS level. Average concentration of PM₂.₅ which follows as industrial area > road intersection area > village area > sensitive area > commercial area > residential area> mixed area. Therefore, this study underscores the critical need for targeted air quality management strategies and regulatory measures to mitigate pollution in different land use settings, enhancing public health and environmental quality in Gopalganj district town.