Dhaka’s air quality plummeted to ‘very unhealthy’ levels on Monday morning, securing the city the third spot on the list of the most polluted cities worldwide.
With an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 206 recorded at 9am, Dhaka trailed behind Lahore, Pakistan, and Delhi, India, which occupied the top two positions with AQI scores of 238 and 228, respectively.
An AQI range between 150 and 200 indicates unhealthy air quality, while a score between 201 and 300 is classified as ‘very unhealthy,’ posing severe health risks to the populace. Dhaka’s deteriorating air quality is attributed to a combination of pollutants including Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and Ozone.
Bangladesh’s capital city has long grappled with air pollution issues, typically worsening during the winter months and showing slight improvements during the monsoon season. However, the persistent air pollution poses significant health hazards to its residents.
Globally, air pollution remains one of the leading risk factors for premature death and disability, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Approximately seven million people worldwide succumb to the effects of air pollution annually, facing increased mortality rates from various respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
