Dhaka residents woke up to concerning news as the city's air quality was classified as 'unhealthy' according to the air quality index (AQI), with the capital city ranking 8th on the list of cities worldwide with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 152 at 9:45 am this morning (April 2nd, 2024).

This designation places Dhaka alongside cities like Lahore in Pakistan, Delhi in India, and Chiang Mai in Thailand, which occupy the top spots on the list with AQI scores of 245, 194, and 188, respectively.The classification of air quality based on the AQI value for particle pollution indicates that Dhaka's air quality falls within the 'moderate' category, signifying an acceptable level with a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.

Dhaka has long grappled with air pollution issues, with its air quality typically deteriorating in winter and showing improvement during the monsoon. The city's ongoing efforts to address air pollution are underscored by the significant impact of environmental factors on public health, as highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO), which estimates that air pollution causes an estimated seven million deaths worldwide annually, primarily due to increased mortality from various respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) serves as a crucial tool for informing individuals about the cleanliness or pollution levels of the air in a specific city, along with associated health effects. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone, providing valuable insights into the environmental conditions and potential health risks for residents.