Dhaka has been ranked 10th among cities worldwide with the worst air quality, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 132 at 9:05 am this morning. This classification deems the air quality as 'unhealthy for sensitive groups,' according to the air quality index.

Current AQI Score: Dhaka's air quality index at 132, categorized as 'unhealthy for sensitive groups.'

- Top Three Cities: Uganda’s Kampala, India’s Delhi, and Indonesia’s Jakarta lead the list with AQI scores of 177, 169, and 169, respectively.

AQI Classifications

- Moderate (50-100): Air quality is acceptable; however, some pollutants may pose a moderate health concern for a small number of individuals.

- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150): Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects; the general public is less likely to be affected.

- Unhealthy (150-200): Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.

- Very Unhealthy (201-300): Health alert; everyone may experience more serious health effects.

- Hazardous (301+): Health warning of emergency conditions; the entire population is more likely to be affected.

Air Pollution in Dhaka

Dhaka has struggled with significant air pollution issues for years. The city's air quality typically deteriorates in winter and improves during the monsoon season. Persistent air pollution poses severe health risks to the city's residents, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for an estimated seven million deaths annually. The primary health impacts include increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

The ranking serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing air quality challenges faced by Dhaka.