Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, continues to grapple with severe air pollution, maintaining its reputation as one of the world's most polluted cities. On the first day of the new year, Dhaka ranked 8th globally in terms of hazardous air quality.

At 9:00am on Wednesday, the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) hit 203, categorizing the air as "very unhealthy" and posing significant health risks to its residents.

Globally, Munich, Pristina, and Hanoi topped the list with AQI scores of 419, 279, and 273, respectively, falling under the "hazardous" category. AQI scores reflect the daily air quality, indicating potential health impacts based on pollutants such as Particulate Matter (PM10, PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and Ozone.

Dhaka’s air quality typically worsens during winter, exacerbated by pollution from brick kilns, vehicle emissions, and construction dust. A 2019 report by Bangladesh’s Department of Environment (DoE) and the World Bank identified these as the city's primary pollution sources.

Air pollution continues to be a major global health threat, contributing to approximately 7 million deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Breathing polluted air increases the risk of heart disease, respiratory issues, and cancers.

BDST: 1010 HRS, JAN 01, 2025
MN/SMS