Dhaka's Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded a score of 181, ranking it fourth globally for the poorest air quality On Saturday Morning (March 9th).

Leading the list were Dakar, Lahore and Kathmandu, with AQI scores of 196, 183, and 181 respectively.

AQI Index

The AQI serves as a crucial metric for assessing potential health impacts on residents, with readings indicating various levels of air quality, from "unhealthy for sensitive groups" to "hazardous."

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly seven million people worldwide succumb to air pollution annually, with Dhaka's PM2.5 level exceeding WHO's recommended threshold by 24.5 times.

This persistent issue, particularly exacerbated during winter months, poses severe health risks, contributing to mortality from lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, acute respiratory infections, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.