Dhaka, March 20 -- Bangladesh has been among the worst countries in the world in terms of undergoing the effect of environmental pollution, but what is more concerning is the financial burden it causes.

Industrial waste, transport and brick kiln emissions, chemical fertiliser use in agricultural fields, faulty solid waste management and lead pollution are vitiating the environment and taking toll on public health as well as economy.

Once a citizen loses life due to disease caused by pollutants, it ultimately affects the economy. As people fall sick due to pollution, they have to make high out-of-pocket spending on health, explained Prof Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, director, Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies.

According to the Wor...