Dhaka, Bangladesh’s overcrowded capital, ranked 39th among cities with the worst air quality on Tuesday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 64 at 9:20am.

According to the AQI, Dhaka’s air was categorized as “moderate,” which poses a light health risk. Under monsoon conditions, the city’s air often improves compared to the unhealthy levels seen in winter.

The AQI ranks air quality as “moderate” when the index is between 50 and 100, suggesting that sensitive groups should limit prolonged outdoor activity. Higher scores indicate worsening conditions: 101–150 is “unhealthy for sensitive groups”, 151–200 “unhealthy”, 201–300 “very unhealthy”, and anything above 301 is considered “hazardous.”

Egypt’s Cairo topped the list with an AQI of 160, followed by Dubai at 158 and Kampala at 151.

Dhaka has struggled with severe air pollution for years, mainly caused by traffic, construction dust, brick kilns, and industrial emissions.

The AQI in Bangladesh measures five key pollutants: PM10, PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, and ozone.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution causes an estimated seven million deaths worldwide every year, due to diseases such as stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infections.

Despite temporary improvements during the rainy season, Dhaka continues to face long-term challenges in tackling its toxic air.

MN/