Dhaka finds itself in the seventh spot globally for the worst air quality, registering an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 190 at 8:45 am on Sunday. The air in Dhaka is categorized as “unhealthy,” according to the air quality index.
Leading the list are India’s Delhi, Ghana’s Accra, and Uganda’s Kampala with AQI scores of 316, 267, and 224, respectively.
The AQI classifies air quality, ranging from “unhealthy for sensitive groups” (101-150) to “hazardous” (301+), posing severe health risks. In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone levels.
As an index for daily air quality reporting, AQI serves to inform residents about the cleanliness or pollution levels in their city and potential health effects. Dhaka, perennially grappling with air pollution, tends to witness deteriorating air quality in winter, showing improvement during the monsoon.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution claims an estimated seven million lives globally each year, primarily due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. As Dhaka’s air quality crisis continues, the city remains at the forefront of global concern.
