There are currently around 90 cities that India's Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) identified as critically polluted. Particulate matter (PM), especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5), dominates the concern. Other air pollutants such as NO2, ozone (O3), and air toxics are also problematic. The health problems caused by these pollutants are affecting not only large cities, but also many smaller, rapidly expanding cities across India.

Accelerating growth in the transport sector, a booming construction industry, and a growing industrial sector are responsible for worsening air pollution in Indian cities. While estimates of health impacts are effective in raising overall concern about air quality, they do not specifically answer the question of what are the sources of air pollution and and what is their contribution. Further uncontrolled growth will lead to more pollution and require large recurring investments to control pollution.

This study under the SIM-air program was initiated with support from the Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation (New Delhi, India) to better understand the sources of air pollution in the Pune city and to support an integrated dialogue between local pollution management and climate policy in a co-benefits framework.

An ambient air pollution screening study was performed in Dhaka from 31 January – 15 February 2011. The main objective of the study was to gain an overview of the background concentrations and the spatial distribution of the air pollution in the Dhaka city area. Thorough ambient air quality data has not been collected in the city for some years. Results show relatively high concentrations for SO2, NO2, and O3, with PM concentrations alarmingly high.

The city of Dhaka was chosen for this assessment due to the current ongoing project Bangladesh Air Pollution Management (BAPMAN), which concentrates mostly on the capital city Dhaka. The Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Interactions and Synergies model (GAINS) was used to performed this top-down assessment due to the models integrated assessment approach of capturing interactions between air pollution control and economic development, as well as its focus on presenting cost effective pollution control strategies.