Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, has been ranked 12th out of 124 cities worldwide in terms of air pollution. As of 11:00 am local time on April 7, the city's air quality index stood at 107, according to the IQ Air quality monitoring system. 

This level of pollution is categorized as 'unhealthy for sensitive groups,' which includes children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.

The Swiss-based organization IQ Air regularly reports on global air quality, providing real-time data that reflects the pollution levels in cities around the world. 

The index measures the concentration of airborne pollutants, giving a clear indication of air quality.

According to IQ Air's scale, air quality is classified as follows: a score between 0 and 50 is considered 'good,' 51 to 100 is 'moderate,' 101 to 150 is 'unhealthy for sensitive groups,' 151 to 200 is 'unhealthy,' 201 to 300 is 'very unhealthy,' and anything above 301 is deemed 'hazardous.'

Dhaka's pollution level, marked at 107, falls into the 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' category. This level reflects concerns for those most vulnerable to air pollution, such as the sick, children, and the elderly.

Globally, the most polluted city at the time of reporting is Kathmandu, Nepal, with an air quality score of 253. Delhi, India, follows with a score of 223, and Lahore, Pakistan, ranks third at 202.

The primary contributor to Dhaka's air pollution is particulate matter (PM 2.5), which was found to be 7.6 times higher than the World Health Organization's recommended limit on the morning of April 7.

BDST: 1300 HRS, APR 07, 2025
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