Dhaka’s air quality took a concerning turn this morning, earning a classification of “unhealthy.”
At 8:06 am, the city scored 172 on the Air Quality Index (AQI), securing the fifth spot on the global list of cities grappling with poor air quality. Topping the list were Thailand’s Chiang Mai, Pakistan’s Lahore, China’s Beijing, and India’s Delhi, with AQI scores of 224, 186, 185, and 173, respectively.
An AQI ranging between 150 and 200 falls under the ‘unhealthy’ category, signaling potential health risks for residents. Bangladesh’s AQI is determined by evaluating five key pollutants: Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and Ozone.
Dhaka’s struggle with air pollution is longstanding, typically worsening during winter and showing some relief during the monsoon season. However, the issue persists, with air pollution consistently identified as a leading risk factor for global mortality and disability.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution claims an estimated seven million lives annually, primarily due to heightened risks of stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
