Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, has been ranked 15th on the list of cities with the worst air quality, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 88 at 9:40am on Tuesday. 

According to the AQI index, this level is considered “moderate,” which means the air quality poses a light health threat to the general population but may affect sensitive groups, who are advised to limit prolonged outdoor activities.

In comparison, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kinshasa, Vietnam’s Hanoi, and Chile’s Santiago occupied the top three spots with AQI scores of 195, 170, and 163 respectively, indicating “unhealthy” air quality for all residents.

The AQI measures air pollution based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Dhaka has long struggled with poor air quality, especially during winter when dust and emissions increase, while the situation tends to improve during the monsoon due to rainfall.

Air pollution remains a significant health hazard worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution kills about seven million people globally each year, mainly through diseases like stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic respiratory illnesses, and acute infections.

MN/