Recently, Dhaka's name is in the top three in the list of most polluted cities in the world. On Saturday (March 4) too, the capital city of Dhaka topped the list of the world's most polluted cities with 'very unhealthy' air quality. This information has been revealed in the Air Quality Index (AQI) report of Switzerland-based air quality monitoring organization.
According to the Air Quality Index (AQI) around 8:30 am on Saturday, the air quality in Dhaka was 272. This level is considered 'very unhealthy' in air quality assessment.
Mumbai, known as the commercial capital of India, is at the second position with a score of 237 in the same list. With a score of 193, Wuhan, the popular city of China, is in the third position. Thailand's Chingmai is in fourth place. The city had an air quality score of 179 and Nepal's capital Kathmandu ranked fifth with a score of 183.
According to a report by the Department of Environment and the World Bank in March 2019, air pollution in Dhaka is due to brick kilns, vehicle fumes and dust from construction sites. Air pollution increases the risk of shortness of breath, cough, lower respiratory tract infections and depression.
According to the United Nations, 9 out of 10 people worldwide breathe polluted air, and air pollution causes an estimated 7 million premature deaths each year, mainly in low- and middle-income countries.