Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, ranked second globally for worst air quality on Monday morning, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 252 at 9am. The air was categorized as “very unhealthy,” posing significant health risks to residents.

Mongolia’s Ulaanbaatar topped the list with an AQI of 255, while Hanoi, Vietnam, followed closely with a score of 244. AQI scores between 201 and 300 are classified as “very unhealthy,” with levels above 300 considered “hazardous.”

Dhaka's air pollution has been a persistent issue, worsening in winter and improving during the monsoon. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution causes around seven million deaths annually worldwide due to diseases like heart conditions, lung cancer, and respiratory infections.

BDST: 1211 HRS, JAN 13, 2025
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