Dhaka, Dec 25 (V7N) – Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, ranked 7th globally for poor air quality with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 189 as of 9:00 am on Wednesday. The AQI reading classified the city's air as 'unhealthy,' posing health risks to residents.
Global Rankings
Baghdad, Iraq, led the list with the worst air quality at an AQI score of 272, followed by Delhi, India (265), and Lahore, Pakistan (244).
AQI Health Classifications:
151–200: Unhealthy
201–300: Very Unhealthy
301–400: Hazardous
Pollutants Measured
Bangladesh's AQI assessment includes five major pollutants:
- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5)
- Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂)
- Carbon Monoxide (CO)
- Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂)
- Ozone
Seasonal Trends
Dhaka's air quality typically worsens in winter due to increased emissions and stagnant weather conditions, while the monsoon season brings temporary relief.
Health Impact
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution contributes to approximately seven million deaths annually, linked to severe health issues such as stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
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