This morning, Dhaka secured the unenviable position of being the second city globally with the most alarming air quality, according to the Air Quality Index (AQI). At 9:00 am, Dhaka’s AQI registered at 181, classifying the air as ‘unhealthy.’
Mumbai, Kolkata, and Delhi from India dominated the list, securing the first, third, and fourth spots with AQI scores of 183, 178, and 171, respectively.
The AQI measures particle pollution, and an index value between 101 and 150 indicates ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups,’ while a range of 150 to 200 is classified as ‘unhealthy.’ The scale further designates values between 201 and 300 as ‘very unhealthy,’ and readings surpassing 301 are deemed ‘hazardous,’ posing severe health risks.
The AQI serves as a crucial tool for daily air quality reporting, enlightening individuals about the cleanliness or pollution levels in a city and the potential health effects. Bangladesh’s AQI is determined by five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka has been contending with persistent air pollution issues, typically experiencing deteriorating air quality in winter and witnessing improvement during the monsoon season.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution claims an estimated seven million lives globally each year. The primary causes include increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. The pressing need for immediate action to address air quality concerns is evident, considering the severe health risks posed to residents.
