Jan 19, (V7N) - Dhaka, Bangladesh's densely populated capital, ranked fifth among cities with the worst air quality on Sunday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 188 at 8:52 am. The air quality was classified as "unhealthy," posing a health threat, particularly to sensitive individuals.

The AQI categorizes air quality into five levels: 'moderate' (51-100), 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' (101-150), 'unhealthy' (151-200), 'very unhealthy' (201-300), and 'hazardous' (301+). Today’s reading indicates significant risks for residents engaging in prolonged outdoor activities.

Lahore, Delhi, and Hanoi occupied the top three spots with alarming AQI scores of 441, 348, and 222, respectively. Dhaka’s struggles with air pollution peak during winter, with conditions improving during the monsoon. The AQI in Bangladesh monitors five pollutants, including PM2.5 and PM10, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and ozone.

The World Health Organization (WHO) attributes seven million annual global deaths to air pollution, linked to conditions such as stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer. Dhaka’s persistent air quality challenges underscore the urgent need for comprehensive mitigation efforts.

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