Dhaka, Bangladesh experienced concerning air quality levels on Thursday morning, registering an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 142 at 8:31am. This places Dhaka as the 10th city globally with the most compromised air quality. The top spots on the list were dominated by Delhi, India; Chiang Mai, Thailand; Kathmandu, Nepal; and Yangon, Myanmar.
An AQI score between 150 and 200 is deemed unhealthy, while beyond 200 is considered very unhealthy. In Bangladesh, the AQI is determined by levels of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka consistently faces air pollution challenges, with winter exacerbating the issue and some respite during the monsoon season. Air pollution remains a significant risk factor for global health, contributing to millions of deaths annually according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
