Dhaka’s Air Quality Improves: What You Need to Know About the Moderate AQI of 69

Dhaka, the bustling capital of Bangladesh, has recently been highlighted for its air quality concerns. On a recent Thursday morning, the city registered an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 69, placing it 46th among the world’s cities with the worst air quality.

This score categorizes the air as "moderate," indicating a light health concern. When the AQI falls between 50 and 100, it is generally considered acceptable, but sensitive individuals might want to limit their outdoor activities. Scores above this—particularly those between 101 and 150 indicate unhealthy conditions for sensitive groups. Scores can climb even higher, potentially reaching "hazardous" levels, which pose serious health risks.

For context, cities like Lahore in Pakistan, Baghdad in Iraq, and Delhi in India recorded AQI scores of 177, 168, and 165, respectively. This raises alarms about air quality issues in South Asia.

The AQI helps people understand how clean or polluted the air in their cities is, based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone.

Historically, Dhaka has struggled with air pollution, especially during winter months when pollution tends to spike. Conversely, the air quality can improve during the monsoon seasons.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution is responsible for around seven million deaths annually worldwide, largely due to respiratory diseases, heart conditions, and other health issues.

According to a recent study by the Global Burden of Disease, air pollution is the largest environmental risk factor for early death. Countries are now focusing on solutions, like better urban planning and stricter emissions regulations, to combat this crisis.

Understanding these trends and statistics not only informs residents about their health but also emphasizes the need for continued efforts to improve air quality in urban areas like Dhaka.

For more information on air quality and its implications, you can visit the World Health Organization’s air quality page.

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