In the latest Air Quality Index (AQI) rankings, Dhaka secured the fourth position globally for its alarming air pollution levels. At 9:05 am on Monday, Dhaka recorded an AQI score of 158, categorizing its air quality as unhealthy according to the standards set by the AQI.
Leading the list were India’s Delhi, Pakistan’s Lahore, and Indonesia’s Jakarta, with AQI scores of 179, 163, and 162, respectively.
Understanding the AQI scale is crucial: a score between 50 and 100 indicates moderate air quality, while 101 to 150 signifies air quality unhealthy for sensitive groups. Dhaka’s AQI reading falls into the unhealthy category, posing significant risks to residents’ health.
The AQI serves as a vital tool, informing residents about the cleanliness or pollution levels in their city and the associated health risks. In Bangladesh, the AQI score considers five pollutants: 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 somewhat during the monsoon season. The World Health Organization (WHO) underscores the severity of air pollution, estimating that it claims seven million lives annually due to various respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
