Earlier, people used to die more in winter in the country. Now the death march is seen in the heat wave. 34 people died in the heat wave in six days from last Friday to yesterday Wednesday.
Deaths increased by 22 percent on days of extreme heat. 1 crore 7 million people in five major cities of the country are at risk of extreme heat. Experts have suggested planting trees and increasing water bodies to protect city dwellers from heat waves.
Meanwhile, about 18 thousand 970 working people are dying in the world every year due to excessive heat. This information came out in a global report published by the International Labor Organization (ILO) last Monday. This calculation is presented on the basis of 2020 data.
The report titled ‘Ensuring Safety and Health at Work in a Changing Climate’ (Ensuring Safety and Health at Work in a Changing Climate) states that climate change-related health risks are seen in all regions of the world. Out of the 3.4 billion labor force, 2.4 billion people are exposed to excess heat in some way. That means more than 70 percent of the global workforce is exposed to excess heat.
The report highlights worker health risks in six areas: excess heat, ultraviolet radiation, extreme weather, workplace air pollution, parasitic-bacterial-viral-borne diseases and agrochemicals. It is said that in addition to excessive heat, extreme weather such as floods, droughts, depression, anxiety, suicide tendencies among all age groups, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or mental trauma-related anxiety and drug addiction are increasing in some countries including Bangladesh. Emergency workers, health workers, fire service workers, fishermen, agricultural and construction workers are also exposed to fragile mental states during disasters.
According to the report, existing occupational safety and health protection is not enough to deal with the health risks caused by climate change. Many countries recognize diseases caused by heat as ‘occupational diseases’. Workers in the informal sector are the worst at risk. Despite the risks, they work in extreme heat for financial reasons.
Emeritus professor ABM Abdullah, Ekushey medalist medical expert and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s personal physician, said excess temperature is harmful for everyone. Laborers are at higher risk because they work outdoors in extreme heat waves. Sweating profusely during continuous work in hot weather. At this time, red blisters on the body, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, muscle spasms (heatcramps) and heatstroke may occur. Heatstroke can lead to death if not treated on time. Dehydration can cause kidney damage.
Professor Abdullah asked to consider whether it is possible to stop work in the afternoon and arrange work in the morning and afternoon if possible in these few days of extra heat wave. He said, in the desert country, this system is in operation during excessive heat.
According to the ILO report, more than 2 million people have to live with various disabilities due to about 200 million ‘occupational accidents’ due to overheating. Workers working outdoors in agriculture, construction, transport sectors are at risk of death and disability due to overheating. They are at risk of heat stress, heat stroke, heat cramps, rashes, skin cancer, heart disease, respiratory illness, kidney disease and mental health. Pregnant women are suffering from various complications.
According to the report, many regions including Bangladesh, India and Laos have seen record high temperatures in April last year due to extreme weather conditions. Mentioning this kind of weather as a climate change disaster, the report said, extreme weather has increased anxiety, depression, drug addiction and suicide in Bangladesh, the Philippines and the Caribbean.
In the case of migrant workers, the report said, they are also at risk because they have to do more manual labor. Due to the language barrier, they often do not understand how to protect themselves.
According to Bangladesh Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET), more than 8 lakh workers went to work in the Middle East alone last year. Middle Eastern countries experience high heat waves for most of the year. Especially from June to August.
ILO Bangladesh Communication and Knowledge Management Officer Catherine Mzendi said regarding Bangladesh, there is no adequate protection of workers in extremely dangerous air conditions and extreme heat waves. In other Asian countries including Bangladesh, those who have to work outside during this time are at high risk of heat illness.
Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam has announced to plant two lakh trees in two years as an initiative to reduce the temperature of Dhaka city. Even after his announcement last year, no trees were planted. On the contrary, trees have been cut on various roads of the two cities. A study by the Bangladesh Institute of Planners claimed that the amount of green and free space in Dhaka has decreased by 16 to 20 percent in a span of eight years.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury said, ‘We have now looked at urban forestry due to the heat wave. Urban afforestation can reduce temperatures by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius. One of the sources of rising temperatures in Dhaka is the closure of nearby brick kilns; Various initiatives are also underway to reduce pollution. Heat waves will be given more importance in future plans.’
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