Dhaka ranked ninth among cities with the worst air quality on Saturday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 152. This level of air pollution is classified as ‘unhealthy,’ posing potential health risks to residents.
Leading the list of cities with the worst air quality were Kathmandu (Nepal) with an AQI of 211, Delhi (India) at 198, Wuhan (China) at 171, and Lahore (Pakistan) at 170. The AQI measures air pollution levels and their impact on public health, with values ranging from moderate to hazardous conditions.
Bangladesh’s AQI is based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone (O3). Dhaka has long struggled with severe air pollution, which worsens in winter and improves during the monsoon season.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution contributes to an estimated seven million deaths annually worldwide, primarily due to stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
Efforts to mitigate air pollution in Dhaka remain critical for public health and environmental sustainability.
