Dhaka has yet again emerged as the epicenter of global air quality concerns, registering an alarming AQI (Air Quality Index) score of 296 by 9:15 am this Tuesday morning. This categorizes Dhaka’s air quality as ‘very unhealthy’, amplifying health risks for its residents.
Following closely on this distressing index, India’s capital Delhi trailed at the second position with an AQI of 289. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s cities, Lahore and Karachi, secured the third and fourth positions, recording AQI scores of 205 and 196 respectively.
To provide perspective, an AQI value between 201 and 300 signifies ‘very unhealthy’ air quality, warranting heightened health precautions. Moreover, any AQI reading exceeding 301 escalates to ‘hazardous’, indicating severe health threats to inhabitants.
The AQI serves as a pivotal metric, shedding light on a city’s daily air quality status, thereby alerting residents about potential health implications. In Bangladesh, this index hinges on five significant pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka’s ongoing struggle with air pollution remains evident, with its air quality deteriorating notably during winter months, albeit witnessing temporary relief during monsoon seasons. The World Health Organization underscores the gravity of this issue, attributing air pollution to nearly seven million global fatalities annually. Tragically, heightened mortality rates emanate from ailments like strokes, heart diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections, underscoring the urgent need for intervention.
