Dhaka gains title of having 2nd most polluted air in the world

With an air quality index (AQI) score of 256 at 9:10am on Frday, the capital of Bangladesh ranked second in the list of world cities with the worst air quality achinving "very unhealthy" title, reports UNB.

Mongolia's Ulaanbaatar occupied the first position with AQI of 283.

An AQI between 151 and 200 is said to be "unhealthy," 201 and 300 "very unhealthy," and 301 to 400 is considered "hazardous," posing serious health risks to residents.

However, Iraq's Baghdad and third places and 231, respectively.

In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants – particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and ozone.

Dhaka’s air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.