DHAKA, Feb 18, (V7N) – Dhaka has been ranked sixth on the global list of cities with the worst air quality, recording an AQI score of 171 on Tuesday morning at 8:31 AM, according to the Air Quality Index (AQI).

The air quality in Dhaka was classified as “unhealthy”, posing potential health risks, especially for sensitive groups. Lahore (Pakistan) topped the list with an AQI of 289, followed by Cairo (Egypt) at 217 and Yangon (Myanmar) at 192.

AQI values between 150 and 200 indicate unhealthy air conditions, while readings above 200 are considered very unhealthy, and 301+ is deemed hazardous, leading to serious health risks. The Bangladesh AQI monitors five key pollutants: PM10, PM2.5, NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.

Dhaka's air pollution worsens during winter, primarily due to increased industrial emissions, construction dust, and weather conditions, but improves during the monsoon season.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution contributes to seven million deaths worldwide annually, causing severe health issues like stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infections.

END/ARP/RH/