Dhaka ranked fourth among cities worldwide with the poorest air quality on Friday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 189 at 10:00am. According to IQAir, this level falls under the “unhealthy” category.
Pakistan’s Lahore topped the list with an AQI score of 217, placing it in the “very unhealthy” range. Kathmandu ranked second with a score of 193, while Delhi secured third place, also recording an AQI of 193.
An AQI reading between 151 and 200 is classified as “unhealthy,” indicating that everyone may begin to experience health effects, with sensitive groups at greater risk of serious complications. Levels between 101 and 150 are considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” while readings from 201 to 300 are deemed “very unhealthy.” Any score above 301 is categorized as “hazardous,” posing severe health risks to residents.
The AQI is a daily index used to communicate how polluted the air is in a particular city and highlight potential health concerns. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone.
Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution, particularly during the winter months when air quality typically deteriorates. Conditions generally improve during the monsoon season.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution contributes to an estimated seven million deaths globally each year. The fatalities are largely linked to increased risks of stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
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