Dhaka has secured the fourth position globally for its deteriorating air quality, registering an AQI score of 167 as of 8:56am on Wednesday.
The city’s air quality was classified as unhealthy by the Air Quality Index (AQI).
Topping the list were India’s Delhi, Pakistan’s Lahore, and Nepal’s Kathmandu, with AQI scores of 272, 234, and 199, respectively.
When the AQI value for particle pollution falls between 101 and 150, the air quality is deemed unhealthy for sensitive groups. Between 150 and 200, it’s unhealthy, while between 201 and 300, it’s labeled as very unhealthy. A reading of 301 or higher is considered hazardous, posing significant health risks.
The AQI serves as a vital tool for assessing daily air quality, informing residents about potential health effects associated with pollution levels.
In Bangladesh, AQI scores are based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka has long grappled with air pollution issues, typically worsening in winter and improving during the monsoon season.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for an estimated seven million deaths worldwide annually, primarily due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
