Oct 20, V7N- Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, ranked eighth on the list of cities with the worst air quality today (October 20, 2024), with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 154, categorizing the air as "unhealthy." This is a significant deterioration compared to yesterday's AQI score of 97, which fell under the "moderate" category.

According to the AQI index, air quality is considered "unhealthy" for sensitive groups when AQI scores fall between 101 and 150. A score between 150 and 200, as seen today, signifies "unhealthy" air, posing risks to the general population, especially those with pre-existing health conditions.

The top cities with the worst air quality today were Lahore, Pakistan (409), Delhi, India (272), and Dubai, UAE (174). The AQI tracks pollutants like particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone.

Dhaka's air quality is known to worsen during the winter and generally improves during the monsoon season. Poor air quality can lead to severe health consequences, including increased risks of stroke, heart disease, respiratory issues, and other critical health conditions, as noted by the World Health Organization (WHO).

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