Dhaka Ranks as the 3rd Most Polluted City Again: What It Means for Residents This Wednesday Morning

Dhaka, the bustling capital of Bangladesh, is facing a serious air quality crisis. On Wednesday morning, the city’s air quality index (AQI) hit a troubling score of 217, placing it among the worst cities for air quality worldwide.

This score falls into the ‘very unhealthy’ category, posing a significant health risk to residents. In fact, compared to Tuesday, the air quality worsened by 30 points. This fluctuation shows just how quickly conditions can change.

The AQI is a useful tool for understanding air quality. Here’s what the scores mean:

• 50-100: Moderate – Sensitive individuals should limit outdoor activities.
• 101-150: Unhealthy for sensitive groups.
• 151-200: Unhealthy – Everyone may start to experience health effects.
• 201-300: Very unhealthy – Serious health concerns for all.
• 301 and above: Hazardous – Significant health risks exist.

Dhaka’s poor air quality puts it in the company of other cities like Dakar, Delhi, and Kathmandu, which have AQI scores of 258, 250, and 181, respectively. These numbers highlight a global struggle against air pollution.

The AQI in Bangladesh measures five main pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Understanding these pollutants is crucial, as they contribute to various health issues.

Since air pollution has been a persistent challenge for Dhaka, it tends to worsen in the winter months and improves during the monsoon season. This cyclical pattern can have serious implications for public health.

Global statistics from the World Health Organization reveal a stark reality: air pollution causes about seven million deaths each year, mainly due to conditions like stroke, heart disease, and chronic respiratory diseases. It’s a pressing issue that requires immediate attention.