On Monday morning, Dhaka’s air quality was categorized as moderate, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 85 at 9:09 am, placing it 12th among cities with the worst air quality worldwide. Uganda’s Kampala, Pakistan’s Lahore, and Chile’s Santiago topped the list with AQI scores of 179, 163, and 154, respectively.
An AQI score between 50 and 100 indicates moderate air quality, generally acceptable but posing potential health concerns for sensitive individuals. Scores between 150 and 200 are considered unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and above 301 hazardous, posing severe health risks.
In Bangladesh, AQI is measured based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka’s air quality often worsens in winter and improves during the monsoon season.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is a major health risk, causing an estimated seven million deaths annually worldwide. Dhaka continues to struggle with significant air pollution issues, impacting public health and the environment.
