Dhaka ranked 16th among cities with the worst air quality on Thursday morning (September 4, 2025), recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 82 at 9:40 am, according to air quality monitoring data.
The city’s air was classified as ‘moderate’, posing a light health risk, especially for sensitive groups. Over the past few days, Dhaka has consistently experienced air quality in the moderate range.
According to the AQI scale, a score between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’, while readings between 101 and 150 are classified as ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’. Higher levels indicate more severe pollution: 150–200 is ‘unhealthy’, 201–300 is ‘very unhealthy’, and anything above 300 is deemed ‘hazardous’, carrying serious health risks.
At the top of Thursday’s list were Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo) with an AQI of 155, Baghdad (Iraq) at 149, and Kampala (Uganda) at 144.
The AQI measures air pollution based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and ozone (O₃).
While Dhaka's air quality often deteriorates to unhealthy levels during winter due to dry weather and increased emissions, it typically improves during the monsoon season.
Air pollution remains a pressing issue in the capital and across Bangladesh. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around seven million people die each year globally due to air pollution, which contributes to diseases like stroke, heart disease, chronic respiratory conditions, and lung cancer.
SR
