Dhaka once again topped the list of cities around the world with the worst air quality on Monday morning.
With an air quality index score of 175 at 9:20 am on Wednesday, Dhaka ranked first among cities with the most polluted air. The air was classified as ‘very unhealthy’.
The second and third places on the list were held by Jakarta of Indonesia and Yangon of Myanmar, respectively, with AQI ratings of 173 and 140.
A reading of 101 to 150 is regarded as “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” An AQI of 151 to 200 is regarded as “unhealthy”.
Similar to this, an AQI level between 201 and 300 is regarded “poor,” while a reading of 301 or more is deemed “hazardous,” offering significant health hazards to locals.
The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five criterion pollutants: ozone, NO2, CO, SO2, and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5).
Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.
As per World Health Organisation, air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
