Dhaka, Bangladesh, witnessed a concerning decline in air quality on Monday morning, ranking sixth globally with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 157 at 9 am.
According to the AQI, Dhaka’s air was categorized as unhealthy, signaling potential health risks for residents. The city found itself behind Kolkata, India (189), Lahore, Pakistan (184), and Hanoi, Vietnam (179), which claimed the top spots in poor air quality.
When the AQI value for particle pollution falls within the range of 101 to 150, the air is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. The scale extends to 200 for unhealthy, 300 for very unhealthy, and readings above 301 are deemed hazardous, posing serious health threats.
The AQI serves as a crucial index for daily air quality reporting, enlightening residents about the cleanliness or pollution levels in their city and the associated health implications. In Bangladesh, the AQI score is determined based on particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka has been grappling with persistent air pollution, with the quality often deteriorating during winter and showing improvement during the monsoon season.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution remains a global threat, claiming an estimated seven million lives annually. The primary causes of mortality include stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. Awareness and proactive measures are crucial to addressing this widespread issue and safeguarding public health.
