Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, topped the global list for the worst air quality on Monday, February 17, 2025, with an AQI score of 276 at 9:10 AM. The air quality was classified as 'very unhealthy', posing significant health risks to residents.
Cities like Delhi (India), Lahore (Pakistan), and Kathmandu (Nepal) followed, with AQI scores of 229, 197, and 191, respectively.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) categorizes air pollution levels as follows: 50-100 is 'moderate', 101-150 is 'unhealthy for sensitive groups', 151-200 is 'unhealthy', 201-300 is 'very unhealthy', and 301+ is 'hazardous'.
The AQI in Dhaka is primarily based on pollutants such as particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. While the city struggles with air pollution, it typically worsens in winter and improves during the monsoon season.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution contributes to approximately seven million deaths annually worldwide, mainly due to strokes, heart disease, respiratory conditions, and lung cancer.
