Air Quality Index
Air pollution: 5 ways to protect yourself from poor air quality
Dhaka’s air quality typically deteriorates during winter, with rising pollution levels posing serious health risks.
On Saturday (8th November 2025) morning at 9:03 am, Dhaka recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 187, ranking it third among cities worldwide with the worst air quality. The air was classified as “unhealthy,” according to the latest city pollution rankings.
High levels of air pollutants can trigger respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Studies have also shown that poor air quality increases the risk of other health complications and can aggravate pre-existing conditions.
Read more: Builders in Dhaka fined for violating air pollution rules
Experts advise taking precautionary measures to protect health during periods of high pollution. Here are five tips to stay safe:
1. Exercise indoors
Avoid outdoor workouts when the AQI is high. Indoor exercises can help maintain fitness without exposing yourself to harmful pollutants.
2. Keep indoor air clean
Pollution can seep indoors, making it important to maintain a safe indoor environment. Keep doors and windows closed, and consider air-purifying plants to improve air quality.
3. Monitor AQI regularly
Check the daily Air Quality Index to stay informed about pollution levels. Newspapers, mobile apps, radio, and television can provide timely updates, helping you take necessary precautions.
4. Wear a mask
Face masks can reduce exposure to pollutants. While not fully protective, they are effective against larger airborne particles and should be worn when going outside.
5. Boost immunity with a healthy diet
Certain foods can strengthen lung function and immunity, helping the body combat the effects of pollution. Include fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and healthy fats in your diet. Drinks like green tea and turmeric milk may also offer benefits.
Taking these steps can help minimise the health impact of poor air quality, particularly during Dhaka’s high-pollution winter months.
Source: With inputs from NDTV
Read more: Best Air Purifiers in Bangladesh: Price Guide, Top Models, and Buying Tips
26 days ago
Dhaka’s air turns ‘unhealthy’ this morning
Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, ranked fourth among cities with the poorest air quality this morning with an AQI score of 165 at 9:30 am.
This level, classified as ‘unhealthy, poses a serious threat to public health, according to the AQI index.
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 between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’ with acceptable air quality usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
Dhaka's air quality turns `unhealthy for sensitive groups’
The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
1 month ago
Dhaka's air quality turns `unhealthy for sensitive groups’
Dhaka's air quality tunrs `unhealthy for sensitive groups’ this morning.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 132 at 10:55 am, Dhaka ranked 11th on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality.
Egypt’s Cairo, Pakistan’s Lahore and Bahrain’s Manama occupied the first three spots on the list, with AQI scores of 206, 181 and 175, respectively.
An AQI between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’ with acceptable air quality usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
Dhaka's air quality still in the 'moderate' range
The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
1 month ago
Dhaka’s air continues to be ’moderate’ this morning
Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked 32nd on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 62 at 9:51 am this morning (September 14, 2025).
Today Dhaka’s air was classified as ‘moderate,’ referring to a light threat to health, according to the AQI index.
When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
Egypt’s Cairo, Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kinshasa, and Pakistan’s Lahore cities respectively occupied the first, second and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 157, 144, and 140 respectively.
Dhaka’s air quality continues to be ‘moderate’
The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
2 months ago
Dhaka’s air ‘moderate’ this morning
Dhaka’s air quality remained ‘moderate’ on Wednesday morning.
With an AQI score of 73 at 10:00 am, Dhaka ranked 22th on the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality, according to the AQI Index..
Uganda’s Kampala, Pakistan's Lahore and Congo’s Kinsasha occupied the first three spots on the list, with AQI scores of 178, 170 and 159, respectively.
An AQI between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’ with acceptable air quality usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
Dhaka's air quality in 'moderate' range on Tuesday morning
The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
2 months ago
Dhaka’s air quality better than Doha, Riyadh today
Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked 23th on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 81, Qatar’s Doha 96 and Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh 91 at 9:04am this morning (July 3, 2025).
Qatar’s Doha recorded an AQI score of 96, while Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh posted a score of 91, indicating worse air quality compared to Dhaka at that time.
Today Dhaka’s air was classified as ‘moderate,’ referring to a light health threat, according to the AQI index. Such air quality continued for the past few days, indicating an improvement of air quality of the city day by day.
When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
Urban Climate and Disaster Risk Reduction Hub launched
Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kinshasa, Indonesia’s Jakarta and Uganda’s Kampala occupied the first, second and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 169, 159, and 158 respectively.
The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
5 months ago
Dhaka’s air quality better than Kuwait City today
Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, recorded a moderate Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 66 at 9:16am on Thursday, ranking 38th among cities with the worst air quality—better than Kuwait City (ranking 37th).
Today Dhaka’s air was classified as ‘moderate,’ referring to a light health threat, according to the AQI index. Such air quality continued for a fourth consecutive day on Thursday.
When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
Bahrain’s Manama, Qatar’s Doha and Afganistan’s Kabul respectively occupied the first, second and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 198, 177 and 174 respectively.
The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
Dhaka’s air marks ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ even on Eid holiday
The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
5 months ago
Against all odds, Dhaka breathes easier than Dubai
Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, recorded a moderate Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 64 at 10:54am on Thursday, ranking 48th among cities with the worst air quality—better than Dubai (score of 128, ranking 8th).
Today Dhaka’s air was classified as ‘moderate,’ referring to a light health threat, according to the AQI index. Such air quality continued for a fourth consecutive day on Thursday.
Dhaka’s air quality continues to be ‘moderate’
When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
Pakistan’s Lahore, Kuwait’s Kuwait and Egypt’s Cairo respectively occupied the first, second and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 160, 159 and 152 respectively.
The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
5 months ago
Dhaka’s ‘unhealthy’ air quality persists
Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked fourth on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 155 at 9:12am this morning (May 8, 2025).
Today’s air was classified as ‘unhealthy,’ referring to a severe health threat, according to the AQI index.
When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.
India’s Delhi, Pakistan’s Lahore and China’s Beijing respectively occupied the first, second and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 204, 202and 174 respectively.
Temperatures likely to rise across country
The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
6 months ago
Dhaka’s air quality turns ‘unhealthy’
Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked fifth on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 179 at 8: 23am this morning (April 13, 2025).
The capital's air was classified as ‘unhealthy’, according to the AQI index.
An AQI score between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’, usually prompting sensitive individuals to limit prolonged outdoor exertion. A score between 101 and 150 is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, 150 to 200 is ‘unhealthy’, 201 to 300 is ‘very unhealthy’, and a reading of 301 or more is considered ‘hazardous’, posing serious health risks to residents.
The top three positions were occupied by China’s Guangzhou, Chongqing and Shenzhen with AQI scores of 296, 195, and 187 respectively.
Urgent climate action, water resilient path charted for Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, the AQI is determined based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO₂, CO, SO₂ and ozone.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for an estimated seven million premature deaths each year worldwide, primarily due to stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
7 months ago