Dhaka,Jan 28,(V7N) — Dhaka has once again claimed the top spot on the global air quality index, as the city grapples with dangerously high pollution levels. At 8:30 AM local time, the air quality index (AQI) hit a severe 273, placing it at the number one position worldwide for the most polluted air.

An AQI score between 151 and 200 is categorized as 'unhealthy,' while scores between 201 and 300 are deemed 'very unhealthy,' signaling a significant threat to health. Dhaka's AQI of 273 falls within this 'very unhealthy' range, indicating that air pollution poses serious risks to residents, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.

The air quality in Dhaka continues to worsen, exacerbated by winter conditions. The capital of Bangladesh regularly faces poor air quality during the colder months, largely due to emissions from brick kilns, construction activities, and heavy traffic. These sources of pollution, combined with stagnant weather patterns, prevent the dispersion of harmful particles in the air.

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Following Dhaka in the rankings are Pakistan's Lahore (AQI: 257), India's Delhi (AQI: 199), and Nepal's Kathmandu (AQI: 191), highlighting a regional air quality crisis across South Asia.

Experts attribute the worsening air pollution in Dhaka to five primary pollutants: Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Prolonged exposure to these pollutants can cause a range of serious health conditions, including strokes, heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for an estimated seven million deaths worldwide each year, with the majority of fatalities linked to diseases exacerbated by long-term exposure to poor air quality.

While air quality typically improves during the monsoon season, Dhaka's ongoing pollution crisis calls for urgent action to protect public health and improve environmental conditions. Local authorities are under pressure to address the city's worsening air quality, and many experts are calling for stricter regulations on industrial emissions, better traffic management, and greater public awareness of the health risks posed by air pollution.

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