Dhaka’s morning air quality registered as “unhealthy for sensitive groups” on Saturday, marking a concerning trend. With an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 121 at 8:53 am, Dhaka secured the 10th spot among cities with the poorest air quality worldwide.
Leading the list were cities like Thailand’s Chiang Mai, India’s Delhi, Nepal’s Kathmandu, and Indonesia’s Jakarta, with AQI scores ranging from 162 to 173.
The AQI scale categorizes air quality levels, with values between 101 and 150 signaling “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” Dhaka’s air pollution, primarily driven by pollutants like Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and Ozone, remains a persistent issue. Typically, the city experiences worsened air quality during winter and some relief during the monsoon season.
Globally, air pollution ranks among the top risk factors for mortality and disability. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately seven million people succumb to its effects yearly, attributing increased mortality to various respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
