Dhaka’s Air Quality Hits ‘Unhealthy’ Levels: AQI Soars to 128, What Sensitive Groups Should Know

Dhaka has made headlines again, this time for having poor air quality. Recently, it was ranked 15th on a list of cities with the worst air, recording an AQI score of 128. This level falls into the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" category, meaning it poses health risks, especially for vulnerable residents.

In comparison, Chiang Mai in Thailand took the top spot with an AQI of 171, followed closely by Doha in Qatar at 162, and Baku in Azerbaijan with 160. These high readings show a significant global challenge: air pollution is increasingly affecting urban areas worldwide.

Understanding AQI is crucial. The Air Quality Index indicates how polluted the air is on a given day. It covers five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• 50 to 100: Moderate – Sensitive individuals should limit outdoor activity.
• 101 to 150: Unhealthy for sensitive groups – More significant health risks apply to at-risk populations.
• 151 to 200: Unhealthy – Everyone may start to experience effects.
• 201 to 300: Very unhealthy – Health warnings of emergency conditions.
• 301 and above: Hazardous – Severe health threats to the entire population.

The air quality in Dhaka especially worsens in winter and generally improves during the monsoon months. Experts warn that the situation could get worse without effective intervention. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution claims about seven million lives each year globally. The major culprits are often heart disease, stroke, and respiratory infections.

Recent trends on social media highlight growing concern among residents. People are actively sharing tips on protecting themselves from poor air quality, like wearing masks and using air purifiers. Awareness is growing, yet practical solutions are needed to tackle the root causes of pollution.

For further reading on air quality impacts, here’s an insightful report by the World Health Organization.

As Dhaka continues to grapple with air pollution, it’s clear that community action and strong policy changes are needed.

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