Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, maintained "moderate" air quality for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 79 as of 9:50 AM.
This score placed Dhaka as the 10th city globally with the worst air quality at that time. An AQI between 50 and 100 is classified as "moderate," indicating a slight health threat, and sensitive individuals are advised to limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
Global Air Quality Comparison: Dhaka's score of 79 was significantly lower than the top three most polluted cities: • 1st: Delhi, India (AQI 407 - Hazardous) • 2nd: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (AQI 225 - Very Unhealthy) • 3rd: Lahore, Pakistan (AQI 206 - Very Unhealthy) AQI Classification Breakdown:
|
AQI Range |
Classification |
Health Implication |
|
50-100 |
Moderate |
Sensitive individuals should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. |
|
101-150 |
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
Increased health risk for sensitive populations. |
|
151-200 |
Unhealthy |
Health warnings for the general public. |
|
201-300 |
Very Unhealthy |
Health alert, serious health risks. |
|
301+ |
Hazardous |
Emergency conditions, poses serious health risks. |
The AQI in Bangladesh is calculated based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Dhaka is known to struggle with seasonal air pollution, which typically worsens during the winter and improves during the monsoon season. Air pollution is a major global health concern, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating it causes approximately seven million premature deaths annually from conditions like stroke, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses.
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