Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 158 at 8:25am on Friday, ranking sixth among cities with the worst air pollution. The city’s air was classified as "unhealthy," posing serious health risks to residents, according to the AQI scale.

By AQI standards, values between 150 and 200 are considered unhealthy, while readings above 300 are deemed hazardous. Sensitive groups are advised to limit prolonged outdoor activity even at lower levels of pollution.

Among South Asian cities, Pakistan’s Lahore, India’s Delhi, and Pakistan’s Karachi topped the list with AQI scores of 335, 221, and 183 respectively.

Bangladesh’s AQI is measured based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Dhaka’s air quality typically worsens during winter but improves during the monsoon season.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution contributes to around seven million deaths worldwide annually, linked to stroke, heart disease, lung disease, and other health issues.

MN/