Dhaka’s Air Quality Dips to Unhealthy Levels: What the AQI Score of 132 Means for Sensitive Groups

On Wednesday morning, Dhaka’s air quality hit an AQI score of 132, placing it 11th among cities with the worst air. This means the air is “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” In comparison, Cairo, Lahore, and Manama topped the list with scores of 206, 181, and 175, respectively.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a scale used to measure how clean or polluted the air is. It ranges from 0 to 500. A score of 50 to 100 is considered “moderate,” but sensitive individuals should limit outdoor activities when the score reaches 101 to 150 as it can be harmful. Higher scores—above 150—are increasingly dangerous, with anything over 300 considered “hazardous.”

In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Unfortunately, Dhaka struggles with air pollution year-round, particularly in winter, where conditions worsen before improving during the monsoon season.

According to the World Health Organization, around seven million people die from air pollution annually. This can lead to serious health issues like strokes and respiratory diseases. Health experts emphasize that improving air quality is crucial. They suggest policies focusing on reducing industrial emissions and increasing green spaces in cities could be effective.

A recent survey indicated that many people in Dhaka are worried about air quality. Nearly 80% of respondents said they limit outdoor activities due to pollution concerns. Growing awareness of air quality issues is leading to discussions on social media, with hashtags like #CleanAirDhaka trending, as residents share tips for coping with pollution.

As we face these challenges, understanding our air quality is critical. Staying informed can help us take necessary precautions to protect our health. You can learn more about air quality and its implications on public health from the [WHO](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/air-pollution) website.

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