Dhaka’s air quality was recorded as “very unhealthy” on Saturday at 11:24 am, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 205, ranking it fourth globally. Among 126 countries, Kolkata topped the list with an AQI score of 340, indicating hazardous air quality. New Delhi ranked second with a score of 247, while Mumbai was third at 226. Lahore secured the fifth spot with a score of 194.

The AQI measures air quality based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone (O3). According to experts, an AQI score between 0-50 indicates “good” air quality, 51-100 is “moderate,” 101-150 is “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” 151-200 is “unhealthy,” 201-300 is “very unhealthy,” and 301-500 is considered “hazardous.”

Air pollution poses significant health risks, especially for children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing conditions. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution, which worsens during winter and slightly improves during the rainy season. A 2019 report by the Department of Environment and the World Bank identified brick kilns, vehicle emissions, and construction dust as the primary sources of air pollution in Dhaka.

The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that air pollution increases deaths caused by stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. Globally, it contributes to approximately seven million deaths annually.