Despite the ‘unhealthy’ air for several consecutive days, the air quality in the capital was relatively good yesterday on Tuesday. But in a span of one day, Dhaka’s air quality has deteriorated a lot. Dhaka is ranked second among 122 cities in the world today. Dhaka scores 213 on IQAir’s air quality index at around 9:30 am. This air quality is considered very unhealthy. Yesterday Dhaka’s position was 24th and the score was 84.

This situation of air pollution is regularly highlighted by Switzerland-based organization IQAir. Built on air quality, this live or instant IQAir index informs and alerts people about how clean or polluted the air is in a particular city.

IQAir recently released a report on the world’s air pollution situation in 2023. It can be seen there, Bangladesh was at the top in air pollution last year. Pakistan is second. And the place of Dhaka as the capital city is second in the world. India’s New Delhi was at the top.

Pakistan’s Lahore ranks first in air pollution in the world this morning. The city has a score of 266.

According to the IQAir criteria, a score of 51 to 100 is considered ‘moderate’ or ‘acceptable’ air quality. A score of 101 to 150 is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’. A score of 151 to 200 is ‘unhealthy’ air. A score of 201 to 300 is considered ‘very unhealthy’ air. A score of 301 and above is considered ‘disastrous’ or ‘risky’.

According to today’s list given by IQAir, particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main source of air pollution in Dhaka. Today, the amount of particulate matter in Dhaka’s air is 32 times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) standard.

Among the advice given by IQAir to avoid air pollution in Dhaka, one must wear a mask when going outside the house. Can’t exercise outside. It is also advised to keep the windows of the house closed.

People in sensitive groups are most at risk when air pollution is high. Among them are the elderly, children, pregnant women and people suffering from complex diseases. Experts advise that special care should be taken with them.