Bangladesh requires immediate action to reduce air pollution, which accounts for 20% of all premature deaths in the country, according to the World Bank's latest report released on Tuesday.

The World Bank stated in its previous report published in December last year that the sites with major construction and persistent traffic in Dhaka have the highest level of air pollution. The fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) at these sites is on average 150% higher than the WHO Air Quality Guidelines (AQG).

The second highest concentration of PM 2.5 levels is found near brick kilns in Greater Dhaka, which is 136% above the WHO AQG, it added.