Good day and welcome to your Wednessday, February 7th, 2024 weather update. Providing you with the latest insights into air conditions, particularly focusing on Dhaka and its neighboring areas. At 9:02 am this morning, Dhaka's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 185, ranking it fourthamong cities globally with the poorest air quality.

Topping the list were Accra, Ghana and Mumbai, India, Karachi, Pakistan, with AQI scores of 316, 202, and 189, respectively.

The AQI serves as a vital metric, offering information on potential health impacts for residents, crucial for understanding daily air quality. When the AQI value for particle pollution falls between 101 and 150, the air is considered "unhealthy for sensitive groups," while readings between 150 and 200 indicate "unhealthy" conditions. An AQI score of 201 to 300 signifies "very unhealthy" air quality, with scores surpassing 300 marked as "hazardous," implying severe health risks.

According to the World Health Organization, nearly seven million people succumb to air pollution annually, primarily due to heightened mortality from lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, acute respiratory infections, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The issue of air quality in Dhaka has long persisted, exacerbated during the winter months. Dhaka's PM2.5 level, at 168 g/m, exceeds the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended threshold by 24.5 times.