Dhaka, the overcrowded capital of Bangladesh, once again ranked fourth on the list of cities with the worst air quality, recording an AQI score of 223 at 8:45 a.m. this morning (Thursday).
The air quality today has been classified as “very unhealthy,” indicating a severe health threat, according to the AQI index, reports UNB.
Air quality is considered “moderate” when the AQI value is between 50 and 100, where sensitive individuals are advised to limit prolonged outdoor activity. Between 101 and 150, it is categorized as “unhealthy for sensitive groups”, while levels between 151 and 200 are deemed “unhealthy”. Readings between 201 and 300 fall under the “very unhealthy” category, posing health risks to all, and a value of 301 or higher is classified as “hazardous”, posing serious risks to the general population.
China’s cities Wuhan, Chengdu and Chongqing ranked first, second and third on the list, with AQI scores of 258, 238, and 231, respectively.
The AQI, a global standard for reporting daily air quality, provides information about how clean or polluted a city’s air is and highlights potential health concerns. In Bangladesh, the AQI considers five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and ozone (O₃).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is a major global health issue, responsible for an estimated seven million deaths each year, primarily due to conditions such as stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
Bd-pratidin English/Fariha Nowshin Chinika
