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Air Pollution and Poverty in Trinidad and Tobago

Poverty in Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobago, a dual-island Caribbean nation with about 1.4 million residents, faces persistent challenges with poverty and air pollution. Around 20% of Trinbagonians live below the national poverty line and air pollution disproportionately affects these communities. Over decades, the nation’s industrial growth has contributed to significant environmental and health issues.

High Air Pollution Levels

Trinidad and Tobago’s abundant petroleum and natural gas deposits have driven industrial development since the 1960s. However, environmental considerations were often overlooked, leading to severe air pollution. The nation’s industrial enterprises—many located in densely populated areas—are the primary source of harmful air pollutants. These pollutants contribute to rising rates of respiratory conditions and allergic reactions. Health professionals have also linked air pollution to diseases such as cancer, which spiked in 2019 alongside extreme air pollution levels. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution in Trinidad and Tobago causes approximately 20 deaths per 100,000 people annually.

Impact of Air Pollution

Globally, people living in poverty are more likely to experience the effects of air pollution because they often live and work near its sources. In countries with economies reliant on polluting industries, air pollution levels tend to be particularly high. This is especially true in Trinidad and Tobago, where industrial sites are the primary source of air pollution and are located in densely populated areas due to the islands’ small size.

These industrial sites not only dominate the job market but also expose workers to harmful levels of air pollutants, posing significant health risks. Long-term exposure can lead to serious illnesses and in Trinidad and Tobago, 19 out of every 100,000 working-age individuals die each year from occupational diseases linked to air pollution.

While Trinidad and Tobago offers free public health care through its national health insurance system, many people living in poverty face barriers such as lack of transportation and long wait times, making access to care challenging. Addressing air pollution at its source through stronger government regulations could alleviate these health care burdens and help protect vulnerable populations from compounding hardships caused by pollution.

Efforts to Combat Air Pollution

Trinidad and Tobago has taken steps to address air pollution:

  • BreatheLife Campaign. In 2020, Trinidad and Tobago became the first Caribbean country to join this global initiative, pledging to reduce fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels. By 2025, the government aims to align with WHO guidelines, reducing PM2.5 from 65 μg/m³ to 35 μg/m³ for 24-hour concentrations.
  • Paris Agreement. After ratifying the treaty in 2018, the nation committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from key sectors—transportation, industry and power generation—by 2030.

The Environmental Management Authority (EMA), led by Managing Director Hayden Romano, acknowledged the challenges ahead: “We are aware of the adverse health effects of both short-term and long-term exposure to particulate matter and that no air quality standard can guarantee complete protection for all citizens against all possible adverse health effects of particulate matter.”

Looking Forward

Trinidad and Tobago has taken concrete steps to address air pollution through international commitments and updated regulations targeting industrial emissions. The government’s goals include reducing particulate matter levels and greenhouse gas emissions within established timelines. Furthermore, efforts to mitigate health risks associated with pollution remain ongoing, with officials emphasizing the importance of aligning national standards with global health guidelines. These initiatives represent a structured approach to reducing environmental hazards and their associated impacts on public health.

– Nivea Walker

Nivea is based in Elon, NC, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Recycling Waste in Bangladesh

Recycling Waste in BangladeshBangladesh, located in South Asia, is home to more than 170 million people. The capital, Dhaka, has seen its population rise to 9 million. This rapid urbanization, along with an expanding middle class and a robust manufacturing sector, has led to a significant increase in plastic waste production. Each year, the country generates approximately 977,000 tonnes of plastic waste, with a substantial portion originating from Dhaka. A World Bank Blogs report indicates that the average resident of Dhaka produces 22.5 kg of plastic waste annually, a figure that is expected to rise as the city’s population continues to grow.

Health Risks of Waste Disposal

As the volume of plastic waste continues to grow, Dhaka’s recycling sector is increasingly struggling to process it sustainably. While Dhaka’s recycling industry employs approximately 5,400 people, it is a relatively informal sector, exposing many workers to hazardous conditions without effective health protection. Without funding or support, the increasing volumes of waste can potentially overwhelm the current recycling systems. As a result, much of this waste ends up in landfills and into rivers, putting the cities’ population at risk of poor health. The ingestion of microplastics and the contamination of water and soil link to increased dengue fever cases, which claimed 327 lives over seven months in 2023. This crisis strains local health systems and disproportionately affects the poorest citizens, who struggle to afford necessary medical treatments.

Recycling Waste in Bangladesh

Recognizing the strain that escalating plastic waste places on its infrastructure and citizens, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Environment formulated a National Action Plan for Sustainable Plastic Management. This initiative targets a 50% increase in recycling waste in Bangladesh by 2025 and aims to cut overall plastic consumption by 2030. The plan underscores the adoption of a circular economy to mitigate the hazardous impacts of waste disposal. By enhancing recycling efforts initially and subsequently addressing the fundamental issue of excessive plastic usage, this strategy aims to alleviate waste-related health risks across the nation.

Micro-Enterprises in Bangladesh

While government initiatives address large-scale waste management by implementing policies, the real momentum often comes from grassroots efforts. A recent World Bank Blogs report reveals the work of many entrepreneurs who prioritize recycling plastic waste in their small businesses. With support from the World Bank’s Sustainable Enterprises project (SEP), Md Jashim Uddin, a micro-entrepreneur, for example, recycles waste from local shoe factories to produce new footwear. This small-scale circular economic model not only mitigates environmental impact but also enhances local health conditions by reducing pollution and creating new jobs with improved working conditions.

Looking Ahead

Bangladesh faces the escalating issue of plastic waste as urbanization and industrial growth continue. Government initiatives aim to boost recycling rates and reduce plastic use, while grassroots efforts and micro-enterprises contribute to waste management and environmental health. These combined strategies can potentially improve public health and achieve sustainable development. Ongoing dedication to innovative solutions and effective waste management could be vital for Bangladesh’s future.

– Aimee Masters

Aimee is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Improving Chad’s Air Quality

Chad's Air QualityThe Republic of Chad, an independent nation in Central Africa, is landlocked by Niger, Libya, Sudan, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Cameroon and Nigeria. With a population of approximately 17.7 million, according to the World Bank, Chad suffers from some of the world’s worst air quality. Several factors contribute to the country’s poor air conditions, significantly impacting children with respiratory infections. Nevertheless, Chad is implementing measures to enhance its air quality and improve the lives of its citizens.

Factors Contributing to Air Pollution in Chad

Air pollution is when the air is contaminated by particles, gas and chemicals that are harmful when breathed in and cause respiratory illnesses. Chad is one of the worst in the world because according to the World Health Organization (WHO), it measured to be 17 times higher than the acceptable limit, making the country dangerous to breathe in. 

The factors contributing to Chad’s poor air pollution include indoor sources such as stoves but also uncontrolled waste burning, textile, oil, meatpacking industries and vehicle emissions.

The electricity in Chad is also generated from 90% fossil fuel, which is another cause of air pollution, as well as the Bodele Depression. Located south of the Sahara Desert in north-central Africa, it is one of the largest sources of airborne dust, which brings large dust clouds to the region.

Bad quality air affects everyone in Chad, but it is especially dangerous to those who live in urban cities such as N’Djamena, Chad’s capital. It affects those in poverty-stricken areas more often as they live closer to the factories and other pollution-causing sources and don’t have the means to protect themselves from the air. The most vulnerable groups affected by air pollution are the elderly, children and pregnant women.

Health Impacts of Poor Air Quality

Air pollution can not only lead to respiratory disease, but it can also cause strokes, lung cancer and heart disease. In the worst cases, it can even cause death. In 2017, an estimated 13,329 Chadians died with association from air pollution, with more than 7,000 of those deaths being young children with respiratory infections.

According to the State of Global Air, air pollution is the third-leading risk of death or disability in Chad as of 2017, trailing behind sanitation and malnutrition. Additionally, Chadians lose 2 years and 11 months in life expectancy at birth due to air pollution. 

Initiatives to Improve Air Quality

There are some initiatives in place to combat this rampant air pollution in Chad. According to a study by UNEP in 2015, it found that the government lacks policies in place to combat pollution. However, this is changing, as Chad is beginning to promote cleaner cooking fuel to reduce indoor air pollution and grid electrification.

The National Poverty Reduction Strategy is also working to make power generation more widespread and cost-efficient, reducing air pollution, as well as other methods of energy like solar and wind. With the United Nations’ support, it implemented waste management in refugee camps and communities such as Sila, Wadi Fira and Salamat, which granted 74% of households proper services. 

The Interactive Country Fiches also includes opportunities to implement new policies such as waste management to improve public health rather than burning it. Different factories and industries also require more regulation to better improve the health of all Chadians and beyond. 

Looking Ahead

Chad is on a promising path to significantly enhance air quality and public health through targeted environmental initiatives and cleaner energy solutions. By focusing on sustainable practices and improved regulatory frameworks, the nation aims to reduce the burden of air pollution on its most vulnerable citizens. Continued collaboration with international organizations and a commitment to innovative policies could be crucial for improving Chad’s air quality and securing a healthier future for all Chadians.

– Sabrina Betterly

Sabrina Betterly is based in Drums, PA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash