In a grave environmental development, Dhaka has reclaimed its title as the city with the world’s worst air quality. As of Monday morning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Dhaka skyrocketed to an alarming 538, marking the city’s air as ‘hazardous.’
This revelation underscores a deepening environmental crisis, posing severe health risks for the residents of Dhaka. The city’s urgent need for intervention is apparent, with AQI levels reaching critical health hazard thresholds.
Accra in Ghana, Mumbai in India, and Kathmandu in Nepal trail Dhaka in the global ranking for poor air quality, registering AQI scores of 336, 181, and 174, respectively. These figures highlight the pressing necessity for global attention towards the escalating issue of air pollution and its consequential health impacts.
The AQI, a crucial measure of air pollution, gauges the cleanliness or pollution levels and potential health impacts. In Bangladesh, AQI assesses air quality based on concentrations of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and ozone.
When AQI values range from 101 to 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups.’ It escalates to ‘unhealthy’ between 150 and 200, ‘very unhealthy’ from 201 to 300, and ‘hazardous’ at levels above 301. Dhaka’s staggering AQI of 538 signifies a critical health hazard, emphasizing the immediate need for remedial measures.
Dhaka has been grappling with air pollution for an extended period, witnessing deteriorating air quality during winter and marginal improvements with the onset of the monsoon season. The World Health Organisation reports that globally, air pollution is responsible for an estimated seven million deaths annually, primarily linked to increased risks of stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
