Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, ranked seventh globally for the worst air quality, registering an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 160 on Wednesday at 9:06 am. The city's air quality was categorized as 'unhealthy', joining other major cities like Lahore, Delhi, and Baghdad on the list of severely polluted urban centers.
Dhaka, the bustling capital of Bangladesh, has once again garnered global attention for its alarming air pollution levels, securing the seventh position on the list of cities with the worst air quality worldwide. At 9:06 am on Wednesday, the city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 160, marking its air quality as 'unhealthy' according to the established index criteria.
The latest ranking places Dhaka alongside other major urban centers grappling with severe air pollution issues, including Lahore in Pakistan, Delhi in India, and Baghdad in Iraq, which claimed the first three spots with AQI scores of 294, 201, and 171, respectively. The deteriorating air quality in Dhaka underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts to address the root causes of pollution and mitigate its adverse effects on public health.
The AQI serves as a vital tool for assessing daily air quality levels, offering insights into potential health risks associated with pollution exposure. In Bangladesh, the AQI is determined based on five key pollutants, including particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone.
Despite periodic improvements in air quality during the monsoon season, Dhaka continues to grapple with persistent pollution challenges, particularly exacerbated during the winter months. The prevalence of unhealthy air conditions poses significant health risks to residents.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution remains a pressing global health concern, contributing to an estimated seven million premature deaths annually. The adverse health impacts of air pollution encompass a range of serious conditions, including stroke, heart disease, respiratory ailments, and various forms of cancer.
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