Dhaka, the overcrowded capital of Bangladesh, ranked fifth among cities with the worst air quality today (March 2), with an AQI score of 165, marking the air as 'unhealthy.'

Saturday's air was even worse, marked as ‘hazardous’ with an AQI score of 304.

According to the AQI index, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy’ when the score ranges from 150 to 200, posing health risks to residents.

Yangon (205), Lahore (184), and Tashkent (180) ranked first, second, and third, respectively, for the worst air quality.

The AQI in Bangladesh measures five key pollutants — PM10, PM2.5, NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.

Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution, with its air quality typically worsening in winter and improving during the monsoon season.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that air pollution causes an estimated seven million deaths globally each year, mainly due to stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infections.

BDST: 1108 HRS, Mar 02, 2025
MN