Dhaka‍‍`s air quality continues to be moderate

Dhaka‍‍`s air quality was in the ‘moderate’ zone this morning (September 12, 2023), reports UNB.

With an air quality index (AQI) score of 96 at 8:30 am, Dhaka today ranked 13th on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.

An AQI between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’ with an acceptable air quality. However, there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.

Iraq’s Baghdad, Indonesia‍‍`s Jakarta and Kuching of Malaysia occupied the first three spots on the list, with AQI scores of 217, 154 and 153, respectively.

An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered ‘unhealthy’, particularly for sensitive groups.

Similarly, an AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be ‘poor’, while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered ‘hazardous’, posing serious health risks to residents.

In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants – Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.

Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.

Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide.

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year.