Dhaka Ranks as the 3rd Most Polluted City in the World: What an AQI Score of 189 Means for Residents

Dhaka, the bustling capital of Bangladesh, has recently ranked third for the worst air quality, recording an AQI of 189 on Wednesday morning. This level is classified as “unhealthy,” indicating serious health risks for the population. This concerning trend has persisted for two days now.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) helps us understand how clean or polluted the air is. Here’s a quick breakdown: an AQI from 50 to 100 is “moderate,” where sensitive individuals should limit outdoor activities. From 101 to 150, it’s “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” An AQI between 150 and 200 is deemed “unhealthy,” while levels from 201 to 300 are “very unhealthy.” Scores above 301 are classified as “hazardous,” posing significant health dangers to everyone.

For context, Baghdad in Iraq tops the list with an AQI of 274, followed by Kuwait City and Lahore, which have scores of 232 and 168, respectively. The AQI measures five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone.

Dhaka has been struggling with air pollution for years, particularly in winter when conditions worsen. The air quality tends to improve during the monsoon season, but the overall trend remains alarming.

According to the World Health Organization, air pollution leads to about seven million premature deaths each year globally. This mainly affects people suffering from stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and other respiratory infections. Health experts urge cities like Dhaka to take definitive steps to tackle this ongoing crisis.

Recent surveys reveal that many residents are increasingly concerned about health issues linked to air quality. Social media discussions frequently highlight personal experiences with pollution—ranging from respiratory troubles to children facing health challenges due to poor air. Such concerns underline the urgent need for robust air quality policies.

As cities worldwide confront the reality of air pollution, Dhaka’s situation serves as a wake-up call. Addressing these environmental challenges is crucial for the health and well-being of its citizens.

For more details on air quality and its impact, visit the [World Health Organization’s air quality report](https://www.who.int). This resource provides insights into global air quality trends and health effects.

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