Dhaka, the overcrowded capital of Bangladesh, ranked fourth among cities with the worst air quality this morning (February 28), with an AQI score of 186 at 9:10 AM — classified as ‘unhealthy’.

This is the second consecutive day of unhealthy air, posing health risks to residents.

According to the AQI index, a score between 151 and 200 is considered ‘unhealthy’, meaning everyone may start to experience health effects, and members of sensitive groups could face more serious risks.

Kathmandu (224), Beijing (190), and Mumbai (189) ranked first, second, and third on the list.

Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution, with air quality typically deteriorating during winter due to increased dust, industrial emissions, and vehicle pollution, and improving during the monsoon.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is based on five major pollutants: PM10, PM2.5, NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution causes around 7 million deaths globally each year due to stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infections.

BDST: 1136 HRS, FEB 28, 2025
MN