Dhaka:Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, ranked third among the world's most polluted cities on Saturday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 195 at 914 am.
According to United News of Bangladesh, today's air quality in Dhaka was classified as 'unhealthy,' indicating a potential health threat. The cities of Delhi, Lahore, and Kolkata ranked first, second, and fourth, with AQI scores of 235, 232, and 192, respectively.
The AQI scale classifies a reading between 50 and 100 as 'moderate,' meaning the air quality is generally acceptable, though sensitive individuals should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. AQI levels between 101-150 are deemed 'unhealthy for sensitive groups,' 151-200 as 'unhealthy,' 201-300 as 'very unhealthy,' and readings above 301 are considered 'hazardous,' posing severe health risks.
The AQI, which reports daily air quality, informs residents about the cleanliness or pollution level of the air and highlights potential health effects. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five key 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 deteriorating in winter and improving during the monsoon season. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes approximately seven million deaths worldwide each year, primarily from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.