Dhaka has once again ranked as the city with the worst air quality in the world, with an alarming AQI score of 273 recorded at 8:30 am on Tuesday. 

This places the city in the "very unhealthy" category, where the air quality poses serious health risks to its residents. 

An AQI between 201 and 300 is categorized as very unhealthy, while anything above 300 is considered hazardous.

Pakistan's Lahore, India's Delhi, and Nepal’s Kathmandu followed closely, with AQIs of 257, 199, and 191, respectively. The AQI in Bangladesh is calculated based on five main pollutants: Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and Ozone.

Dhaka’s air quality has been a long-standing issue, with pollution levels typically worsening in the winter months due to factors like vehicular emissions, construction dust, and industrial pollutants. The air tends to improve during the monsoon season.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution claims an estimated seven million lives globally each year, contributing to diseases like stroke, heart disease, chronic respiratory issues, and lung cancer. 

The situation in Dhaka highlights the urgent need for measures to combat air pollution and protect public health.

BDST: 1131 HRS, JAN 28, 2025
MN