Dhaka ranked third on the global list of cities with the worst air quality this morning (October 09, 2023). The air in Dhaka city was classified as 'unhealthy' with an AQI score of 158 at 9:15 am. Pakistan's Lahore and India's Mumbai occupied the first and second spots on the list, with AQI scores of 182 and 160, respectively. Read: Bangladeshis, Indians, Nepalis and Pakistanis expected to live 5 years less due to air pollution: AQLI An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', while 201–300 is 'very unhealthy', and 301+ is 'hazardous', posing severe health risks to residents. 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. Read: Urgent, coordinated actions needed to curb air pollution in South Asia: World Bank 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. Read: Air pollution 2nd biggest cause of deaths in Bangladesh in 2019, cost about 3.9-4.4% of GDP: World Bank As per the 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.

There is no respite for Dhaka dwellers from unhealthy air as it again ranked worst among cities in the world on the Air Quality Index (AQI) on Sunday morning (December 18, 2022). It had a score of 308 at 9 am. The air was classified as ‘hazardous’ and in this condition, everyone may experience more serious health effects. When the AQI value is more than 300, people are advised to avoid all outdoor exertion. Read more: Air Quality Index: Dhaka ranks 2nd worst Pakistan’s Lahore and India’s Delhi occupied the second and third spots in the list, with AQI scores of 278 and 257, respectively. Similarly, an AQI between 101 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', particularly for sensitive groups while a reading of 201 and 300 is said to be 'poor'. In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone. Read more: Dhaka's air quality is 'unhealthy' Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing a heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections. Read More: Dhaka's air 2nd most polluted in the world this morning

  On Wednesday (March 24, 2021), Dhaka occupied the third position in the list of world cities with the worst air quality. The capital's air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 198 around 11.35 am. India’s Delhi and Nepal’s Kathmandu occupied the first two positions in the list, with AQI scores of 266 and 213, respectively. Read Dhaka is world's most polluted city An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', particularly for sensitive groups. Similarly, an AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'poor', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, is used by government agencies to inform people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. Read Public health issues like air pollution, environment not getting due attention In Bangladesh, the overall AQI is based on five criteria pollutants – Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and Ozone (O3). The Department of Environment has also set national ambient air quality standards for these pollutants. The densely populated capital of Bangladesh has long been grappling with air pollution issues. The air quality usually improves during monsoon. Read Lung cancer on the rise in Bangladesh: Report A report by the Department of Environment (DoE) and the World Bank in March 2019 pointed out that the three main sources of air pollution in Dhaka "are brick kilns, fumes from vehicles and dust from construction sites". Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognised as increasing a person’s chances of developing heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies. Also Read: No respite from pollution as Dhaka's air quality still 'unhealthy' As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections. Over 80 percent living in urban areas which monitor air pollution are exposed to air quality levels that exceed WHO guideline limits, with low- and middle-income countries most at risk. Also Read:  Dhaka keeps grappling with 'hazardous' air