Dhaka has claimed the unenviable title of the city with the most severe air quality issues globally, registering an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 237 at 8:45 am today. The air in Dhaka was deemed ‘very unhealthy,’ according to the air quality index. Chengdu in China, Lahore, and Karachi in Pakistan secured the second, third, and fourth positions on the list, with AQI scores of 209, 206, and 202, respectively.
When the AQI for particle pollution falls between 101 and 150, air quality is labeled ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups.’ Between 150 and 200 is classified as ‘unhealthy,’ 201 to 300 as ‘very unhealthy,’ and a reading exceeding 301 is considered ‘hazardous,’ posing significant health risks.
The AQI serves as a crucial indicator of daily air quality, informing residents about the cleanliness or pollution levels in their city and potential health concerns. In Bangladesh, the AQI is determined by monitoring five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka has grappled with persistent air pollution problems, particularly worsening during the winter and improving during the monsoon. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is a global threat, causing an estimated seven million deaths annually. The health risks associated with air pollution include increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
