Dhaka continued to grapple with poor air quality on Wednesday, ranking 10th among cities with the worst air globally, according to the Air Quality Index (AQI).
As of 9:20 am on April 23, 2025, the city recorded an AQI score of 112—classified as "unhealthy for sensitive groups."
This marks the second consecutive day of elevated pollution levels, which pose health concerns for vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory or heart conditions.
An AQI score between 101 and 150 falls under the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" category. According to the AQI scale, a score between 50 and 100 is considered "moderate," 151 to 200 is "unhealthy," 201 to 300 is "very unhealthy," and any reading above 301 is classified as "hazardous."
In the global rankings, Delhi, Cairo, and Lahore topped the list with significantly higher AQI scores of 256, 218, and 198 respectively.
The AQI is calculated based on the concentration of five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ground-level ozone. In Bangladesh, PM2.5—fine particulate matter small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs—is one of the primary contributors to poor air quality.
Dhaka's air pollution problem is longstanding, with air quality often deteriorating during the dry winter months and improving with the arrival of the monsoon season.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that air pollution remains a leading global health threat, causing an estimated seven million deaths annually due to conditions such as stroke, heart disease, chronic respiratory illnesses, lung cancer, and acute infections.
Residents of Dhaka, particularly those in sensitive groups, are advised to limit outdoor exposure and take precautionary measures to protect their health amid continued poor air conditions.
