Dhaka has been dealing with poor air quality, ranking as the city with the worst air quality on Wednesday morning.
This morning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Dhaka reached 171, which falls into the ‘unhealthy’ category. It’s important to pay attention to these numbers because they indicate how safe it is to be outside.
The AQI measures pollutants in the air. Scores between 50 and 100 mean the air is ‘moderate’. If you’re sensitive, you might want to limit your time outdoors. Scores of 101 to 150 are ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’. When the score hits 150 or above, it’s labeled ‘unhealthy’. Scores above 200 go to ‘very unhealthy’, and anything above 300 is ‘hazardous’, which can pose serious health risks.
Other cities struggling with air pollution include Beijing, Kampala, and Chiang Mai, with AQI scores of 167, 161, and 160, respectively.
The AQI helps us understand air quality by reporting daily levels of pollution. In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone.
Dhaka’s air quality tends to worsen in the winter months but improves during the rainy season. This chronic issue affects the health of many residents.
Interestingly, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that air pollution contributes to around seven million deaths each year worldwide. Serious conditions linked to air pollution include heart disease, stroke, and respiratory infections.
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