Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, ranked seventh among the world’s most polluted cities on Friday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 117 at 9:10 AM.
According to the AQI scale, this level is classified as “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” signaling potential health risks for vulnerable individuals, including children, the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Among the most polluted cities globally, Kathmandu, Delhi and Chiang Mai occupied the top three positions, with AQI scores of 235, 231 and 165, respectively.
An AQI reading between 101 and 150 falls under the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” category, while 151"200 is considered “unhealthy.” Levels ranging from 201 to 300 are labeled “very unhealthy,” and readings above 301 are deemed “hazardous,” posing severe health threats.
The AQI is a widely used index that measures daily air quality, indicating how polluted the air is and the potential health impacts on the population.
In Bangladesh, AQI assessments are based on five primary pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and ozone.
Dhaka has long faced persistent air pollution challenges, which typically intensify during the winter season and improve with the arrival of monsoon rains.
According to World Health Organization, air pollution contributes to approximately seven million deaths worldwide each year, largely due to conditions such as stroke, heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
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