Dhaka’s air quality remains a concern as the city ranked seventh among 124 cities worldwide in terms of air pollution on Sunday (March 30), according to data from Switzerland-based monitoring organization IQAir.
Kathmandu, Nepal, recorded the worst air quality.
At 10 am Bangladesh time, Dhaka’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 154, a level classified as ‘unhealthy.’
IQAir provides real-time air quality assessments, offering insights into pollution levels across major cities.
According to its standards, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good,’ while a reading between 51 and 100 is categorized as ‘moderate’ or ‘tolerable.’
Scores between 101 and 150 indicate air quality that is ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups,’ such as children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions.
An AQI between 151 and 200 is deemed ‘unhealthy,’ while readings from 201 to 300 are classified as ‘very unhealthy.’ Any score above 300 is considered ‘hazardous.’
As of this morning, Kathmandu topped the list with an AQI of 230, followed by Chiang Mai, Thailand (216). Other highly polluted cities included Delhi, India; Kuwait City, Kuwait; and Lahore and Karachi, Pakistan, ranking third to sixth, respectively.
The primary pollutant in Dhaka’s air is fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which poses significant health risks. At 10 am, its concentration was 12 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended safety level.
BDST: 1027 HRS, MAR 30, 2025
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