Wrapped in Toxic Haze

Air pollution in Dhaka has become a constant condition of daily life, driven by multiple overlapping sources that push the Air Quality Index into "unhealthy" and "very unhealthy" levels. This photo story examines how the city's air is shaped not only by industrial growth and traffic congestion, but also by less visible and often overlooked practices such as open waste burning and uncontrolled construction dust. In winter, dry air and the absence of rain trap pollutants close to the ground. Roads remain coated in dust, while unregulated construction sites release fine particles into the air. Alongside this, the open burning of household and plastic waste continues in streets, neighbourhoods, and landfill edges, releasing toxic substances including dioxins and heavy metals. These emissions combine with vehicle exhaust, brick kiln smoke, and industrial output to form a persistent layer of pollution across the city. Scientific studies consistently identify brick kilns, transport emissions, and industrial activity as major contributors to Dhaka's particulate pollution. Together, they produce fine particles capable of penetrating deep into the lungs and entering the bloodstream, significantly increasing risks of respiratory and cardiovascular disease. For residents, the impact is immediate and visible: constant coughing during winter months, dust settling on everyday surfaces, reduced visibility, and increasing dependence on masks. Vulnerable communities, particularly in low-income areas, face disproportionate exposure due to weaker infrastructure and limited mitigation measures. Rather than a seasonal crisis, air pollution in Dhaka is structural and human-made. It is sustained by weak enforcement, unregulated urban expansion, and routine practices that prioritize convenience over environmental control. Addressing it requires coordinated action on emissions, construction standards, waste management, and industrial regulation. This work frames Dhaka's air not as an abstract environmental issue, but as an ongoing public health condition shaped by everyday urban behavior and policy failure.