Dhaka Oct 5, V7N - As of this morning, Dhaka's air quality has improved to a "moderate" level, with an AQI score of 90, ranking the city 12th on the list of cities with the worst air quality. At the top of the list are Hanoi and Lahore, both with AQI scores of 172, followed closely by Kampala with 160.

When the AQI is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered moderate, and sensitive individuals should be cautious about prolonged outdoor activities. Air quality becomes a concern for sensitive groups when the AQI exceeds 100 and turns unhealthy above 150. Anything above 300 is classified as hazardous, posing severe health risks.

The AQI in Bangladesh is based on the concentration of five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Dhaka, known for its chronic air pollution issues, typically experiences the worst air quality during the winter months but sees improvement during the monsoon season.

Globally, air pollution is responsible for approximately seven million deaths annually, as per the World Health Organization (WHO). This is primarily due to increased mortality from diseases such as stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infections.

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