Dhaka has topped the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 187 at 08:55 am. This classification places Dhaka's air quality as 'unhealthy'.

The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality, providing information on how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for residents. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.

The air quality in Dhaka has been a persistent concern, particularly during the winter months, when it typically deteriorates, and it improves during the monsoon. This issue is not unique to Dhaka, as air pollution is a global challenge.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution causes an estimated seven million deaths worldwide every year, primarily due to increased mortality from various health conditions.