Dhaka, the overcrowded capital of Bangladesh, has ranked third on the list of cities with the worst air quality, recording an AQI score of 189 at 9:45 am this morning.
The air quality was classified as "unhealthy," posing a health threat to residents.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) indicates that the level of pollution in Dhaka today falls in the "unhealthy" category, which means people may experience adverse health effects.
AQI readings between 150 and 200 signify unhealthy air for the general population.
Globally, Pakistan’s Lahore and India’s Delhi topped the list with AQI scores of 222 and 221, respectively. Bahrain’s Manama ranked fourth with an AQI of 174.
The AQI, which measures pollution levels based on particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone, helps assess how clean or polluted the air is. Dhaka has long struggled with poor air quality, particularly during the winter months.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution contributes to the deaths of seven million people worldwide annually, largely due to heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infections.
BDST: 1112 HRS, March 19, 2025
MN/SMS
