Air pollution is steadily increasing in many cities around the world, partly due to climate change. For a long time, Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, has been among the cities struggling with severe air pollution. In fact, Dhaka often ranks high on the list of the world’s most polluted cities.

As of Monday morning (June 16), data from the global air quality monitoring organization IQAir showed that Dhaka ranked 23rd in the world’s pollution index with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 78, which falls under the "moderate" pollution category.

At the same time, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates topped the list with a score of 158, followed by Lahore in Pakistan with 152, Jakarta in Indonesia with 151, Delhi in India with 144, and Jerusalem in Israel in fifth place with a score of 117.

According to the AQI scale, a score between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 to 100 is moderate, and 101 to 150 is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Scores between 151 and 200 are categorized as "unhealthy" for the general population. When the AQI ranges between 201 and 300, it is labeled "very unhealthy," during which time children, the elderly, and those with health issues are advised to stay indoors, and outdoor activities are recommended to be limited for everyone. An AQI between 301 and 400 is considered "hazardous," posing a serious health risk to city residents.