Dhaka has secured the second position globally for cities with the most dire air quality, recording an AQI score of 213 as of 9:48am on Wednesday, as per the Air Quality Index (AQI).
The air quality in Dhaka is deemed very unhealthy, posing significant health hazards to its residents, as indicated by the AQI.
Leading the list, Pakistan’s Lahore and India’s Delhi occupied the first and third spots respectively, with AQI scores of 266 and 189.
According to AQI standards, when the AQI value for particle pollution ranges between 101 and 150, the air quality is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. Between 150 and 200, it is labeled as unhealthy, while between 201 and 300 is categorized as very unhealthy. Any reading above 301 is considered hazardous, posing severe health risks.
The AQI serves as a vital index for reporting daily air quality, informing individuals about the cleanliness or pollution levels in a specific city and the associated health implications.
In Bangladesh, the AQI score is determined based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka has been grappling with air pollution problems for a considerable time. Its air quality typically worsens during winter and improves during the monsoon season.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution claims an estimated seven million lives globally each year, primarily due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
