Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, finds itself in a concerning position, securing the second spot on the global list of cities with the poorest air quality. As of 8:58 am on Wednesday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded a score of 288, indicating a critical state of air pollution.
The Air Quality Index categorizes Dhaka’s air as very unhealthy, posing severe health risks for its residents. This alarming situation is part of a broader trend, with Kolkata and Delhi in India, along with Lahore in Pakistan, claiming the first, third, and fourth positions with AQI scores of 303, 273, and 217, respectively.
Understanding the AQI scale is crucial; when the AQI value for particle pollution falls between 101 and 150, the air quality is deemed unhealthy for sensitive groups. A range of 150 to 200 is considered unhealthy, while 201 to 300 is labeled as very unhealthy. A reading exceeding 301 is deemed hazardous, indicating serious health risks to residents.
The AQI serves as a vital tool for assessing daily air quality, informing people about the cleanliness or pollution levels in a city and the potential health effects. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka has long grappled with air pollution, particularly worsening in winter and showing signs of improvement during the monsoon. This concerning scenario aligns with global concerns raised by the World Health Organization (WHO), estimating that air pollution contributes to the premature deaths of approximately seven million people worldwide annually. The major causes include increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. Understanding and addressing this issue is crucial for the well-being of Dhaka’s residents and the global population at large.
