In a concerning revelation, Dhaka’s air quality took a nosedive, securing the fourth position globally for the most polluted air on Thursday morning. The city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 165 at 9:30 am, signaling a severe threat to residents’ health.
Topping the list were Delhi in India, Tashkent in Uzbekistan, and Lahore in Pakistan, with AQI scores of 190, 168, and 168, respectively. An AQI between 151 and 200 is categorized as “unhealthy,” while scores of 201–300 and 301–400 are labeled as “very unhealthy” and “hazardous,” posing severe health risks.
The AQI serves as a crucial index for daily air quality reporting, informing the public about the cleanliness or pollution levels in a city and the associated health risks. In Bangladesh, the AQI is measured based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka has grappled with persistent air pollution problems, with air quality typically deteriorating in winter and showing improvement during the monsoon season.
The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights the global severity of air pollution, estimating seven million annual deaths worldwide. The major causes include increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. The latest ranking emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address Dhaka’s air quality crisis.
