Dhaka, August 20-- This morning, Dhaka ranked 41st on the list of cities with the worst air quality, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 59. This level of air pollution is classified as 'moderate,' meaning that while the air quality is generally acceptable, sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion. AQI values between 50 and 100 indicate moderate air quality, whereas higher values signify increasing levels of health concern.

Jakarta, Indonesia, topped the list with an AQI of 172, followed by São Paulo, Brazil, and Manama, Bahrain, with scores of 145 and 132, respectively. The AQI is a measure used to report daily air quality, indicating how polluted the air is and the potential health effects on residents.

Dhaka has struggled with air pollution for years, particularly during the winter when air quality often becomes unhealthy, although it tends to improve during the monsoon season. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is a significant global health issue, contributing to the deaths of around seven million people annually due to conditions such as stroke, heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, and lung cancer.