21/05/2026
In recent years, the cities of Bangladesh have consistently ranked among the most polluted in the world on the basis of air quality index (AQI) assessments. As a developing nation, rapid urbanization and energy-intensive projects have led to uncontrolled emission of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), Carbon Oxides (CO, COโ), Nitrogen Oxides (NOโ), and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). UV radiation from sunlight reacts with these primary pollutants, leading to photochemical smog formation. This process increases ground-level ozone (Oโ), sharply raises AQI levels, damages breathing organs, and corrodes metals and stones. Furthermore, certain VOCs may also exert carcinogenic effects. The hot and humid climate of Bangladesh, combined with the onset of summer, introduces favorable conditions for photochemical smog formation. Consequently, air quality in urban areas is expected to deteriorate further.
Control Strategies Against Photochemical Smog:
โ ๐๐โ ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง: Traditional kilns and automobile emissions are major contributors to NOโ emissions in Bangladesh. Replacing traditional kilns with Hybrid Hoffman Kilns (HHK) and tunnel kilns can reduce emissions by up to 50%. In automobiles, three-way catalytic converters can convert toxic gases like CO and NOโ into inert gases. Selective catalytic reduction and low-NOโ burners are also effective in combustion industries.
โ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง: Rigorous monitoring, proper chemical use, waste management, activated carbon adsorption, and thermal oxidizers can significantly reduce VOC emissions before release into the atmosphere.
โ ๐๐ก๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ญ๐ข๐ ๐๐ฑ๐ข๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง (๐๐๐): TiOโ-coated urban infrastructures can utilize sunlight to generate hydroxyl radicals that decompose NOโ and VOCs into harmless nitrates and water v***r.
โ ๐๐ก๐ฒ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง: Low-isoprene trees like Neem (Azadirachta indica) can absorb NOโ, CO, and other harmful gases through stomatal uptake.
Photochemical smog has emerged as a major environmental and public health challenge in rapidly urbanizing regions of Bangladesh. Effective control of NOโ and VOC emissions through cleaner technologies, sustainable industrial practices, and nature-based solutions is essential for improving urban air quality. Through cleaner technologies and sustainable industrial practices, we can effectively control NOx and VOC emissions. The scientific, industrial, and policy-driven innovators play a crucial role in reducing this looming crisis in our country.
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๐๐ก๐๐ค๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ง
๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฒ - ๐๐
