The argumentative 1,320MW Rampal coal-based power plant could drastically worsen air pollution in the country and cause approximately 6,000 premature deaths per year, said coal and air pollution specialist of Greenpeace Lauri Myllyvirta on Friday through a video conference.
National Committee to Protect Sunderbans, Doctors for Health and Environment, and Bangladesh Poribesh Andolan jointly organised the conference at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity auditorium to reveal an international study conducted by Lauri.
After assessing the long-range transport of air pollutants, Lauri said that hazardous particles released from the plant would badly impact on the air quality of Khulna, Ashoknagar, Kalyangarh, Satkhira, Begumganj, Bashirhat, Narsingdi, Noakhali, Bashipur and Comilla.
He said the estimated impacts on health due to air pollutant particles and gaseous substances are around 6,000 premature deaths per year in the areas during a 40-year operational life.
The estimated number of babies born with a low birth weight due to the pollution would be 600 per year, he added.
The study was led using the CALPUFF air pollution modelling system recommended by the United States’ Environment Protection Agency for assessing long-range transport of pollutants and their impacts.