Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, registered an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 84 at 9:15 AM today, placing it in the 'moderate' category. Despite this relatively better air quality, Dhaka ranked 19th among cities worldwide with the worst air quality. Leading the list were Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with an AQI of 179, Jakarta in Indonesia at 167, and Hanoi in Vietnam at 137.

Persistent Air Pollution Challenges

Dhaka has been grappling with severe air pollution for years, particularly worsening in winter and improving slightly during the monsoon season. Air pollution remains one of the top risk factors for death and disability globally, exacerbating health issues and leading to significant mortality rates.

Global Health Impact

According to the latest State of Global Air (SoGA) report, air pollution was responsible for 8.1 million deaths worldwide in 2021. This comprehensive study, conducted by the Health Effects Institute (HEI) in partnership with UNICEF, underscores the alarming impact of air pollution on global health. The report highlights that children under the age of five are especially vulnerable, with over 700,000 fatalities in this age group attributed to air pollution in 2021.

Air Pollution: A Leading Cause of Premature Death

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution kills approximately seven million people annually. This is largely due to increased mortality from conditions such as stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

The data underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to combat air pollution. Improved air quality monitoring, stricter emissions regulations, and increased public awareness are crucial steps in mitigating the health risks associated with poor air quality.