Dhaka:The air quality in Dhaka ranked fifth among the world's most polluted cities on Friday morning, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 172 recorded at 0915 am. This level of pollution is classified as 'unhealthy', indicating potential health risks for the general population due to the concentration of pollutants in the air.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Singapore topped the list of polluted cities with an AQI score of 217, followed by Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia with a score of 210, and Lahore in Pakistan with a score of 186.
The AQI classifies air quality as 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' when readings are between 101 and 150, 'unhealthy' from 151 to 200, 'very unhealthy' from 201 to 300, and 'hazardous' above 301. These classifications indicate varying levels of health risk due to air pollution.
The AQI provides daily updates on air quality, assessing how clean or polluted the air is and indicating potential health impacts. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated using data from five major pollutants particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone.
Dhaka has historically struggled with air pollution, with conditions typically worsening in winter and improving during the monsoon season. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution contributes to approximately seven million deaths globally each year, primarily from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.