Dhaka, June 4, 2024 (V7N Dhaka) - This morning, Dhaka's air quality fell within the 'moderate' range, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 89 at 9:00 am, placing the city 15th on the list of the world's worst air quality cities.

Leading the list were Jakarta, Indonesia, Shanghai, China, and Delhi, India, with AQI scores of 177, 145, and 140, respectively.

AQI scores between 51 and 100 indicate 'moderate' air quality, while scores from 101 to 150 are deemed 'unhealthy.' Scores between 201 and 300 are considered 'very unhealthy,' and readings above 301 are classified as 'hazardous,' posing serious health risks.

In Bangladesh, the AQI is determined by five key pollutants: Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and Ozone.

Dhaka has been grappling with severe air pollution for years, with air quality typically worsening in winter and improving during the monsoon season.

Air pollution remains a leading cause of death and disability globally. Long-term exposure to polluted air is linked to higher risks of heart disease, chronic respiratory conditions, lung infections, and cancer, according to numerous studies.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution claims approximately seven million lives worldwide annually, primarily due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.