Dhaka's air quality is deemed 'very unhealthy' today, as it ranks fourth globally with an AQI score of 215 at 9:30 am on January 24, 2024.
Delhi in India, Karachi in Pakistan, and Kolkata in India secured the first, second, and third positions on the list, with AQI scores of 300, 259, and 220, respectivel, according to the air quality index.
When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 101 and 150, air quality is considered 'unhealthy for sensitive groups', between 150 and 200 is 'unhealthy', between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
World Health Organization (WHO) data shows air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.