Dhaka tops the world in air pollution

On Sunday, Bangladesh's populous capital, Dhaka, ranked at the top of the list of cities with polluted air, with an AQI score of 358 at 8:55am.

According to the AQI index, Sunday's air quality has been labeled as "hazardous."

Iraq's Baghdad, Vietnam's Hanoi, and Pakistan's Karachi are ranked second, third, and fourth with AQI scores of 352, 219, and 200, respectively.

When particulate matter pollution's AQI value is between 50 and 100, the air quality is considered "moderate."

When the AQI value is between 101 and 150, it is considered "unhealthy for sensitive groups."

During this time, sensitive individuals are generally advised not to engage in prolonged outdoor physical activities.

An AQI value between 151 and 200 is considered "unhealthy," while between 201 and 300 is considered "very unhealthy."

Additionally, an AQI above 301 is considered "hazardous," posing serious health risks for residents.

In Bangladesh, the AQI index depends on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone.

Dhaka has long been plagued by air pollution issues.

The air quality generally worsens in winter, becoming unhealthy, and improves during the rainy season.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution causes an estimated 7 million deaths worldwide each year.

The death rates from air pollution are primarily increased by stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.