Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, recorded a moderate level of air pollution on Friday morning, ranking 39th among cities with the worst air quality.
As of 11:02 AM on Friday, the city posted an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 68, indicating a light health threat, particularly for sensitive individuals.
According to AQI scale, an index score between 50 and 100 falls within the ‘moderate’ category, which generally poses little risk to the general public but may be slightly concerning for those with respiratory issues or other sensitivities.
Friday marked the third consecutive day that Dhaka’s air quality remained at this moderate level.
AQI is a standardized index used to report daily air pollution levels, providing insight into how clean or polluted the air is and what health risks may arise from exposure.
In Bangladesh, AQI is calculated using data from five major pollutants; particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and ozone.
Globally, Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh topped the list of most polluted cities on Friday with an AQI of 263, followed by Doha in Qatar at 206 and Manama in Bahrain at 199; each falling into the 'very unhealthy' or near-hazardous categories.
While Dhaka’s current air quality shows some improvement compared to its typically higher pollution levels, especially in the winter months, the city continues to struggle with long-term air pollution.
In contrast, the monsoon season often brings temporary relief, washing away airborne particles and reducing pollution levels.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that air pollution remains a leading environmental health risk worldwide, causing approximately seven million premature deaths annually.
The primary causes include increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and respiratory infections; many of which are linked to prolonged exposure to polluted air.
SH
