Dhaka has clinched the third position globally for its alarming air quality, registering an AQI index of 181 as of 9:05am this Monday.
According to the Air Quality Index, Dhaka’s air has been categorized as unhealthy.
Leading the list are Lahore in Pakistan, Delhi in India, and Algiers in Algeria, securing the first, second, and fourth spots respectively, with AQI scores of 213, 197, and 171.
The AQI value, a metric indicating daily air quality, designates air as unhealthy for sensitive groups when it falls between 101 and 150, while readings between 150 and 200 are deemed unhealthy. Values surpassing 301 are considered hazardous, posing severe health risks.
This index, derived from particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone levels, provides crucial insights into the health implications of air pollution.
Dhaka has long grappled with air pollution issues, typically worsening in winter and showing some improvement during the monsoon season.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution contributes to the premature deaths of approximately seven million people annually, primarily due to increased risks of stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
