Dhaka’s Air Quality Improves: Moderate AQI Score of 81 Offers Relief for Residents

Dhaka, the bustling capital of Bangladesh, recently found itself ranked 18th among cities with the worst air quality. On a Wednesday morning, its Air Quality Index (AQI) score reached 81, indicating ‘moderate’ air quality. This means that while air quality is generally acceptable, sensitive individuals might still face a light health threat. For the previous two days, however, the air quality had been poor enough to be categorized as ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’.

The AQI categorizes air quality based on specific ranges. A score between 50 and 100 is labeled ‘moderate’, suggesting that sensitive individuals should limit prolonged outdoor activities. Scores above 100 move into the ‘unhealthy’ categories, with increasingly severe implications for health as numbers rise. With readings over 300 considered ‘hazardous’, the situation can become serious for residents.

In a global context, cities like Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Manama in Bahrain, and Doha in Qatar took the top three spots for the worst air quality, recording AQI scores of 163, 158, and 156, respectively. The AQI is a crucial tool that tells residents how clean or polluted the air is, helping them gauge potential health concerns.

In Bangladesh, the AQI tracks five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Dhaka has struggled with air pollution for years, with conditions typically worsening in winter and improving during the monsoon season.

Globally, air pollution is a significant health crisis. According to the World Health Organization, it claims about seven million lives each year, primarily from ailments like stroke, heart disease, and respiratory infections. Experts highlight the urgent need for better air quality management to protect public health.

Interestingly, social media reactions reflect growing concern among Dhaka’s residents about the air quality. Many are taking to platforms like Twitter and Facebook to share personal experiences, urging authorities to address the pollution crisis more effectively. As awareness grows, there’s hope for change.

For those wanting to learn more about the impact of air pollution on health, you can find detailed information in resources like the [World Health Organization](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health).

The air quality in Dhaka is not just a local issue; it’s part of a larger global challenge. With increasing urbanization and climate change, tackling pollution will require collective efforts, thoughtful policies, and community engagement.

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