As of 9 am this morning (June 10, 2024), Dhaka is ranked 15th among cities with the worst air quality worldwide, recording an AQI score of 88. This level of air quality is classified as 'moderate' according to the air quality index.
Top Cities with the Worst Air Quality:
1. Jakarta, Indonesia: AQI 166
2. Manama, Bahrain: AQI 158
3. Hanoi, Vietnam: AQI 153
AQI Classification:
- 0-50: Good
- 51-100: Moderate
- 101-150: Unhealthy for sensitive groups
- 151-200: Unhealthy
- 201-300: Very unhealthy
- 301+: Hazardous
Understanding AQI:
The Air Quality Index (AQI) reports daily air quality levels, indicating how clean or polluted the air is and the associated health risks. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone (O3).
Air Quality in Dhaka:
Dhaka has been struggling with significant air pollution problems for a long time. The air quality in the city tends to worsen in winter and improve during the monsoon season.
Health Impact:
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for an estimated seven million deaths annually, primarily due to increased rates of stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
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