Dhaka, the overcrowded capital of Bangladesh, ranked 43rd among cities with the worst air quality, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 60 at 10 am on Tuesday (Aug 12).

According to the AQI index, Dhaka’s air quality was classified as ‘moderate’ — indicating a light health threat — for the second consecutive day.

An AQI value between 50 and 100 is considered moderate, suggesting that sensitive individuals should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. Higher AQI values indicate increasing health risks, with levels above 300 deemed hazardous.

Cities topping the list of worst air quality included Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (AQI 265), Jakarta, Indonesia (AQI 172), and Baghdad, Iraq (AQI 170).

The AQI measures daily air pollution levels 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, with air quality typically worsening in winter and improving during the monsoon season.

The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution causes around seven million deaths globally each year, primarily from stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and infections.

MN/