Understanding Dhaka’s Air Quality: Why a Moderate AQI Score of 66 Still Matters for Your Health

Dhaka, the bustling capital of Bangladesh, recently ranked 28th among cities with the worst air quality, recording an AQI score of 66. This score, measured around 9:30 AM on a Monday morning, places the city’s air quality in the ‘moderate’ category, which hints at a slight health risk for some individuals.

According to the AQI index, values between 50 and 100 indicate moderate air quality. During this range, those sensitive to air pollution are advised to limit time outdoors. The scale continues with values between 101 and 150 indicating unhealthy conditions for sensitive groups, and scores above 150 denoting unhealthy air for everyone. Importantly, when the AQI exceeds 300, it becomes hazardous, posing serious health threats.

To put this in perspective, cities like Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Delhi in India occupied the top three spots, with AQI scores of 166, 149, and 123, respectively.

The AQI is an essential tool that reports daily air quality based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Bangladesh’s air pollution has been a long-standing issue, particularly worsening during winter and improving with the monsoon rains.

Healthwise, air pollution is a critical concern. The World Health Organization estimates that it causes around seven million premature deaths globally each year. These deaths are often linked to serious health conditions like stroke, heart disease, and respiratory infections.

Given the alarming statistics, cities worldwide are increasingly investing in technology to monitor and combat air pollution. Experts suggest that immediate actions like reducing vehicle emissions and enhancing green spaces can significantly improve urban air quality. In Dhaka, local initiatives to raise awareness about pollution and its effects are also crucial.

Understanding air quality is vital for protecting public health. For more details on the air quality index and its implications, check out the WHO’s informative resources on air quality.

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