Dhaka Ranks 16th with Moderate Air Pollution Among Global Cities

Dhaka's air quality has been classified as 'moderate' in recent reports, with Air Quality Index (AQI) scores ranging from 55 to 82, placing the city between 16th and 49th on lists of cities with the worst air quality worldwide. The moderate AQI indicates a light health risk, particularly for sensitive groups who are advised to limit prolonged outdoor exertion. Dhaka's air pollution typically worsens during winter due to dry weather and increased emissions but improves during the monsoon season when rainfall helps clear pollutants. The AQI measures pollution from five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and ozone. Other cities with notably poor air quality include Kinshasa, Baghdad, Riyadh, and Dubai, many of which have AQI readings classified as unhealthy or worse. Globally, air pollution causes an estimated seven million deaths annually, contributing to diseases such as stroke, heart disease, respiratory conditions, and lung cancer, according to the World Health Organization.