Dhaka’s air quality was recorded as ‘moderate’ on Wednesday morning, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 73 at 10:00 am, placing the city 22nd among the world’s most polluted cities, according to the AQI Index.

Uganda’s Kampala, Pakistan’s Lahore, and Congo’s Kinshasa occupied the top three spots with AQI scores of 178, 170, and 159, respectively.

An AQI between 50 and 100 is considered moderate, meaning the air quality is acceptable but sensitive individuals may need to limit prolonged outdoor activity. Readings between 101 and 150 are ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups,’ 151–200 are ‘unhealthy,’ 201–300 are ‘very unhealthy,’ and above 301 are considered ‘hazardous.’

The AQI measures daily air quality and its potential health effects. In Bangladesh, the index is calculated based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone.

Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution, which typically worsens in winter and improves during the monsoon season.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution causes an estimated seven million deaths worldwide each year, primarily due to stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

MN/