Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, ranked fourth among cities with the poorest air quality this morning, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 165 at 9:30am on Thursday.

According to the AQI index, this level is classified as “unhealthy” and poses a serious threat to public health.

Pakistan’s Lahore, Bahrain’s Manama, and India’s Kolkata occupied the first three spots on the list, with AQI scores of 182, 172, and 166, respectively.

An AQI reading between 50 and 100 is considered “moderate,” indicating acceptable air quality. Between 101 and 150, it becomes “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” while 151 to 200 is classified as “unhealthy.” Levels between 201 and 300 are deemed “very unhealthy,” and readings above 301 are considered “hazardous,” posing severe health risks to residents.

The AQI, an index used to report daily air quality, measures how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health impacts. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and ozone (O₃).

Dhaka has long struggled with severe air pollution. The city’s air quality typically worsens during winter due to dust and smoke accumulation and shows improvement during the monsoon season.

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

MN/