Dhaka, amidst a relentless heatwave, witnesses a return of “unhealthy” air quality, marking concerns for residents.
With an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 156 recorded at 8:59 am on Thursday, Dhaka secured the ninth spot globally for cities grappling with deteriorating air quality.
Leading the list were Lahore, Pakistan, Delhi, India, and Kathmandu, Nepal, with AQI scores of 206, 191, and 178, respectively.
According to the AQI scale, an index between 101 and 150 signals “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” while 150 to 200 indicates “unhealthy” air, escalating to “very unhealthy” between 201 and 300, and anything above 301 is deemed “hazardous,” posing severe health risks.
In Bangladesh, AQI measurements are based on five criteria pollutants, including Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and Ozone.
Dhaka’s struggle with air pollution is longstanding, typically exacerbated during winter and alleviated by monsoon rains.
Globally, air pollution remains a top risk factor for mortality and disability, claiming an estimated seven million lives annually, as per the World Health Organization (WHO). The fatalities are largely attributed to increased risks of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and acute respiratory infections.
