Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, witnessed a concerning decline in air quality, securing the 10th position globally for the worst air quality with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 160 recorded at 9 am on a Monday morning.
The air quality in Dhaka was officially labeled as “unhealthy,” as indicated by the AQI. This unfortunate ranking places Dhaka among cities grappling with severe air pollution issues.
The top three cities on the list were Lahore in Pakistan, Delhi, and Mumbai in India, with AQI scores of 191, 183, and 173, respectively.
Understanding the AQI levels is crucial; an AQI value between 101 and 150 denotes “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” while a range of 150 to 200 is considered “unhealthy.” Levels above 200 are categorized as “very unhealthy,” and a reading exceeding 301 is labeled as ‘hazardous,’ posing severe health risks.
The AQI serves as a vital indicator, informing residents about the cleanliness or pollution levels in their city and the potential health risks associated. Bangladesh’s AQI is determined based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka has a history of struggling with air pollution, typically experiencing unhealthy air quality during winter and witnessing improvement during the monsoon season.
The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the global impact of air pollution, estimating seven million annual deaths worldwide due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. Awareness and concerted efforts are crucial to combat this alarming issue.
