In a concerning revelation, Dhaka has secured the fourth position on the global list of cities with the poorest air quality, registering an AQI score of 190 at 9:30 am this Sunday.
The air in Dhaka is now categorized as ‘unhealthy’ according to the Air Quality Index (AQI). Leading the unfortunate lineup are Lahore in Pakistan, Delhi in India, and Kolkata, securing the first three spots with AQI scores of 225, 204, and 190, respectively.
Understanding AQI levels is crucial; an index value between 101 and 150 is deemed ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups,’ while readings from 151 to 200 are categorized as ‘unhealthy.’ The situation becomes ‘very unhealthy’ between 201 and 300, and anything exceeding 301 is deemed ‘hazardous,’ posing severe health risks.
This index, serving as a vital tool for daily air quality reporting, educates the public on the cleanliness or pollution levels in a city’s air, along with potential health risks. In Bangladesh, AQI calculations are based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka has long grappled with air pollution, typically worsening during winter and improving with the arrival of the monsoon.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution claims an estimated seven million lives globally each year. The primary causes of increased mortality include stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. Taking urgent measures to address air quality concerns is imperative for safeguarding public health.
