Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, has once again found itself among the world’s most polluted cities, ranking sixth with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 119 — a level deemed “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”
According to the AQI scale, readings between 101–150 pose health risks to sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or heart conditions. They are advised to limit prolonged outdoor activities. Over the past few days, Dhaka’s air quality remained “moderate” (AQI 51–100) before deteriorating to the unhealthy range this morning.
Globally, Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, and Kampala in Uganda took the top three positions, with AQI scores of 157, 156, and 147 respectively.
The AQI in Bangladesh 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 poor air quality, which typically worsens in the winter due to dry conditions and dust, and improves during the monsoon when rain helps clear pollutants.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes about seven million deaths worldwide each year, primarily due to increased risks of stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
MN/
