Dhaka was ranked third out of all the cities in the world with the poorest air quality on Friday morning. At 9:09 am, the city's air quality index (AQI) score was 173, meaning it was still in the "unhealthy" category.

Read: Third most polluted city in the world

The top two spots on the list were occupied by Delhi, India, and Chiang Mai, Thailand, with AQI scores of 197 and 182, respectively. An AQI score between 101 and 200 is considered 'unhealthy', particularly for sensitive groups, while scores between 201 and 300 are categorized as 'poor', and readings from 301 to 400 are deemed 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.

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In Bangladesh, the AQI is determined based on five criteria pollutants, including Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and Ozone. Dhaka has long grappled with air pollution issues, with its air quality typically worsening during winter and improving during the monsoon season.

Read: Air Quality Best This Year with AQI at 78

Air pollution is a significant public health concern, as it increases the risk of developing various diseases such as heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections, and cancer, according to numerous studies. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes approximately seven million deaths worldwide each year, underscoring the urgent need for measures to address this global issue.