The air quality in Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, was classified as “very unhealthy” on Friday morning, posting an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 235. The city ranked third globally for the worst air quality, intensifying public health concerns as poor conditions persist into the winter season.
Dhaka, one of the world’s most densely populated cities, recorded dangerously poor air quality on Friday, placing it among the top three most polluted capitals globally.
At 9:00 am local time, the city registered an AQI score of 235, which is officially categorised as “very unhealthy.” This level carries a serious health risk, prompting growing concern among residents and public health officials.
The reading placed Dhaka behind only India’s Delhi (AQI 386) and Kolkata (AQI 259) on the global list of cities with the worst air quality.
Health and Seasonal Concerns
Air quality in Dhaka commonly deteriorates during the drier winter months and typically shows improvement during the monsoon season. The current prolonged poor air quality raises the risk of various respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses for the city’s inhabitants.
The AQI categorisation system warns that when particle pollution exceeds the 200 mark, the air is deemed “very unhealthy.” Levels above 300 are classified as “hazardous.”
The air quality index in Bangladesh measures five key pollutants, including particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and ozone.
Globally, the impact of poor air quality is devastating. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that air pollution is responsible for approximately seven million deaths worldwide each year, primarily linked to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
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