Dhaka ranked as the fourth most polluted city in the world this morning (June 10), with its air quality falling into the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" category, according to data from Swiss-based air quality monitoring firm IQAir.

At 9:00 am, the capital registered an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 146, primarily due to elevated levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5)—a key pollutant known to pose serious health risks.

The concentration of PM2.5 in Dhaka's air was nearly 10 times higher than the World Health Organization's recommended limit, indicating significant health concerns for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or heart conditions.

On Tuesday, Delhi topped the list of world cities with the worst air quality, recording an AQI score of 174, followed by Baghdad and Kathmandu, each with a score of 156. These cities were classified under the “unhealthy” category, denoting a higher level of health risk to the general population.

According to IQAir's global AQI scale, 0–50 is considered good, 51–100 is moderate, 101–150 is unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151–200 is unhealthy, 201–300 is very unhealthy, and 301 and above is classified as hazardous.

Environmental experts have long cited unchecked construction, vehicular emissions, and industrial activities as major contributors to Dhaka’s deteriorating air quality, especially during dry seasons.

SMS/