Dhaka, the bustling capital of Bangladesh, has been ranked the second worst city for air quality globally, with an alarming AQI score of 267 at 9 am on Thursday. Classified as "very unhealthy," the air poses serious health risks to residents, particularly those with pre-existing conditions.

Over the past few days, the city's air quality has remained hazardous, contributing to growing concerns about public health. The Air Quality Index (AQI), which measures pollutants like particulate matter and gases, places Dhaka just behind Delhi, India, which holds the top spot with an AQI of 333.

The AQI scale ranges from "moderate" to "hazardous," with scores above 200 considered "very unhealthy" and those exceeding 300 categorized as "hazardous." Other cities like Kampala, Uganda (AQI 194), and Tehran, Iran (AQI 183), also made the top four.

Air pollution in Dhaka is a persistent issue, particularly in winter, with experts pointing to a range of health concerns, from heart disease to lung cancer. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution contributes to around seven million global deaths annually.

As air quality worsens, residents are urged to take precautions to protect their health.

BDST: 1058 HRS, JAN 30, 2024
MN