Dhaka's air quality remained in the 'moderate' range on Saturday morning, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 60 recorded at 9:37 AM, according to data from international air monitoring platforms.
This reading placed Dhaka 39th on the list of cities worldwide with the poorest air quality. In comparison, the top four most polluted cities this morning were Kampala (Uganda) with an AQI of 165, Jakarta (Indonesia) at 158, Medan (Indonesia) at 156, and Lahore (Pakistan) at 155.
An AQI score between 50 and 100 is classified as ‘moderate’, meaning the air quality is generally acceptable; however, sensitive groups — such as those with respiratory issues or heart conditions — may experience minor health effects and are advised to reduce prolonged outdoor activities.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a global standard used to measure and report daily air pollution levels, providing information on how polluted or clean the air is, along with potential health risks. The AQI in Bangladesh is calculated based on concentrations of five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and ozone (O₃).
Dhaka has long struggled with poor air quality, particularly during the winter months, when stagnant air and dry conditions worsen pollution levels. In contrast, air quality typically improves during the monsoon season, when rainfall helps to clear airborne particles and pollutants.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for an estimated seven million deaths globally each year, primarily from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
Despite recent improvements, environmental experts warn that sustained action is needed to reduce emissions from vehicles, construction, industry, and open waste burning, all of which are major contributors to air pollution in the capital.
Source: UNB
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
