Oct 17, V7N- Dhaka has once again ranked 2nd on the list of cities with the worst air quality, with an AQI score of 198 at 8:55 AM on October 17, 2024. The air quality was classified as "unhealthy," indicating significant risks to health, especially for sensitive groups. AQI scores in this range suggest that people with respiratory conditions, children, and the elderly should limit outdoor activities to minimize exposure to harmful pollutants.

The city's air quality is primarily affected by high levels of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), which are dangerous pollutants that can penetrate the respiratory system and lead to serious health issues, particularly during winter when pollution levels tend to spike. Dhaka's AQI score of 198 places it behind India's Delhi (AQI 275) and ahead of Pakistan’s Lahore (174) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kinshasa (171) in terms of pollution.

The AQI measures air quality based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. For Dhaka, the air quality typically worsens in winter due to factors like vehicular emissions, industrial activity, and crop burning in neighboring regions, while it tends to improve during the monsoon season.

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for about seven million deaths annually worldwide, with major contributors being diseases such as stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic respiratory issues. This highlights the severe health risks posed by Dhaka's poor air quality, underscoring the urgent need for improved pollution control measures in the city.

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