The overcrowded capital of Bangladesh ranked 8th among the world’s cities with the worst air quality on Tuesday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 147 at 9am.
According to the AQI index, Dhaka’s air quality was classified as “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” indicating potential health risks for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.
India’s Delhi topped the global list with a severe AQI of 589, followed by Lahore (268), Kolkata (194), and Tashkent (165).
The AQI measures air pollution levels based on five major pollutants — PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and ozone. An AQI score between 101 and 150 is considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” 151–200 “unhealthy,” 201–300 “very unhealthy,” and above 300 “hazardous,” posing serious health risks.
Dhaka has long struggled with deteriorating air quality, primarily due to construction dust, vehicle emissions, brick kilns, and industrial pollutants. The city’s air usually worsens during winter, when wind speeds drop and pollutants accumulate, but shows improvement during the monsoon season.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes around seven million premature deaths each year worldwide, mainly from heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infections.
Experts continue to urge the authorities to take stronger measures to control emissions, regulate construction, and enhance urban air management to safeguard public health.
MN/
