In a concerning revelation, Dhaka has claimed the undesirable title of the city with the poorest air quality globally, registering an alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 274 at 9 am this Wednesday.
The Air Quality Index has categorized Dhaka’s air as “very unhealthy,” indicating severe health hazards for its residents. Following closely on the list are Shenyang in China with an AQI of 194, Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan at 176, and Wuhan in China with a score of 169.
Understanding the AQI scale is crucial; when the AQI value for particle pollution falls between 201 and 300, the air quality is labeled “very unhealthy,” signifying substantial health risks. Dhaka residents are urged to take precautions as readings above 300 are deemed “hazardous.”
The AQI serves as a vital daily air quality indicator, offering insights into how clean or polluted the air is and the potential health effects. Bangladesh’s AQI considers particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone levels.
Dhaka has been grappling with persistent air pollution, typically worsening during winter and showing signs of improvement during the monsoon season.
The World Health Organization (WHO) underscores the global impact of air pollution, estimating approximately seven million annual deaths worldwide due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. This latest data reinforces the urgency for concerted efforts to address Dhaka’s air quality crisis.
