Dhaka, Jan 26 (V7N) - Dhaka, the overcrowded capital of Bangladesh, has ranked second on the global list of cities with the worst air quality, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 218 at 9 a.m. today (January 26, 2025). The air quality was classified as "very unhealthy," posing severe health risks, continuing a trend seen over the past few days.

The AQI index categorizes air quality into six levels: "moderate" (50-100), where sensitive individuals may limit prolonged outdoor activity; "unhealthy for sensitive groups" (101-150); "unhealthy" (151-200); "very unhealthy" (201-300); and "hazardous" (301+), which poses serious health risks. With a score of 218, Dhaka's current air quality indicates a major threat to public health.

Other cities with poor air quality today include Karachi (Pakistan) with an AQI score of 237, ranking first, followed by Yangon (Myanmar) at 190, and Delhi (India) at 180, ranking third and fourth, respectively.

The AQI measures daily air quality and evaluates five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. In Dhaka, winter air quality typically deteriorates significantly, while some improvement is seen during the monsoon season.

Air pollution has been a long-standing issue for Dhaka, affecting millions of its residents. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for an estimated seven million deaths worldwide annually, mainly due to increased risks of stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

END/CLM/RH/