Dhaka's Air Quality Remains Unhealthy

Dhaka's air quality was 'unhealthy' on Sunday (January 12). The air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 189, making the capital rank 5th on the list of 126 world cities with the worst air quality.

India's Delhi, Kolkata, Ghana's Acra, and Egypt's Cairo ranked first, second, third, and fourth, respectively, with AQI scores of 221, 203, 198, and 193.

AQI between 151 and 200 is said to be ‘unhealthy’ while a range between 201 and 300 is considered ‘very unhealthy.’

'Good' AQI is between 0 and 50, where air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.

The AQI between 51 and 100 is termed 'moderate.' Pollution in this range may pose a moderate health concern for a very small number of individuals. People unusually sensitive to ozone or particle pollution may experience respiratory symptoms.

An AQI between 101 and 200 is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. Meanwhile, in Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants – Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.

The range between 301 to 400 is ranked 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.

Air pollution has always been a problem in Dhaka. Winter is often when the air quality deteriorates, and monsoon season is when it gets better.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people per year throughout the world, primarily due to an increase in fatalities from heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and acute respiratory infections.