This morning, Dhaka ranked 20th among cities worldwide for air quality, registering an AQI score of 76, classified as 'moderate' on the air quality index. The AQI categorizes air quality levels as follows: between 50 and 100 is 'moderate', 101 to 150 is 'unhealthy for sensitive groups', 151 to 200 is 'unhealthy', 201 to 300 is 'very unhealthy', and above 301 is 'hazardous'. The cities of Lahore, Kinshasa, and Delhi topped the list with AQI scores of 189, 182, and 170 respectively.

Bangladesh's AQI considers particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone levels. Dhaka contends with persistent air pollution issues, typically worsening in winter and improving during the monsoon season.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution contributes to an estimated seven million deaths annually globally, primarily due to heightened risks of stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.