On a recent Saturday morning, Dhaka’s air quality was marked as ‘moderate,’ scoring 59 on the air quality index (AQI). This put the city 36th in the world for poor air quality.
For comparison, the top three cities with the worst air were Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (AQI 159), Manila in the Philippines (AQI 157), and Cairo in Egypt (AQI 153).
An AQI score between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate.’ People generally don’t need to worry, but those with sensitivities may want to limit outdoor activities. Scores from 101 to 150 are ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups,’ while 150 to 200 is ‘unhealthy,’ and anything above 200 is ‘very unhealthy’ or ‘hazardous.’ These high levels can pose serious health risks.
The AQI measures air quality based on several pollutants: particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and ozone. Historically, Dhaka faces air pollution challenges, particularly in winter when pollution peaks and improves during the monsoon season.
As a side note, the World Health Organization points out that air pollution leads to about seven million premature deaths worldwide each year, primarily from conditions like stroke, heart disease, and respiratory infections. This shocking statistic underscores the importance of monitoring air quality and taking action.
While some regions see improvements over time, the persistent air quality issues in Dhaka remind us how crucial it is to address pollution and its effects on public health.
For more detailed information on global air quality standards, you can check the World Health Organization’s resources on air pollution here.
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