"Dhaka takes the lead as one of the most polluted cities, peaking at an AQI of 254. The World Health Organization's alarming estimate connects air pollution to seven million global deaths annually"

 

Dhaka is the most polluted city on Thursdays, with an AQI of 254, making it the top spot. The World Health Organization has released a startling estimate linking air pollution to seven million deaths worldwide each year.

Severe air pollution plagues Dhaka, Bangladesh, ranking first globally on the Air Quality Index at 8:55 a.m. on Thursday, February 1, with an AQI of 254, considered very unhealthy. This issue, exacerbated during winter, somewhat improves in the rainy season.

Following Dhaka, Accra, Ghana, secures the second spot with an AQI of 191, while India's Mumbai (179) and Nepal's Kathmandu (173) are third and fourth in the list. According to the Air Quality Index report, cities that rank between 151-200 are classified as unhealthy cities.

The AQI is determined by five pollutants in Bangladesh: PM10, PM2.5, NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Currently, Dhaka's PM2.5 concentration exceeds the WHO guideline value by 53 times.

Globally, air pollution, linked to 7 million annual deaths by the World Health Organization, poses significant health risks, including stroke, heart disease, COPD, lung cancer, and respiratory infections. Dhaka and its neighboring cities grapple with similar air pollution challenges.