Air Pollution in Dhaka City: A Review of Biochemical Markers of Environmental Stress
K. M. Lokman Nayan
Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS), Bangladesh
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/ersr.v3i1.12210
Keywords: Dhaka; Air pollution; Biomarkers; Oxidative stress; Inflammation; PM2.5
Abstract
Dhaka, one of the world’s fastest-growing megacities, experiences persistently high levels of air pollution, including fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅, PM₁₀), black carbon, and episodic peaks of toxic gases such as NO₂, SO₂, O₃, and CO. These pollutants arise from diverse sources, including vehicular emissions, industrial activities, brick kilns, construction, and open waste burning, and exhibit strong spatial and seasonal variability. Emerging biomarker studies in Dhaka reveal that exposure to these pollutants induces measurable physiological and molecular alterations, including oxidative stress, reduced antioxidant defenses, systemic inflammation, impaired oxygenation, and early genotoxic effects. Children, pregnant women, and occupationally exposed adults demonstrate heightened susceptibility, with short-term exposures linked to acute lung function decline and long-term exposure associated with cumulative biochemical dysregulation. Integration of ambient and indoor pollution data with biochemical outcomes highlights mechanistic pathways connecting environmental exposure to adverse health effects. This review consolidates Bangladesh-specific evidence on air pollution and biochemical markers of environmental stress, emphasizing the biological plausibility of pollution-induced health risks and the utility of biomarkers in environmental health assessment.
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