Dhaka ranks 2nd worst in air quality index

Dhaka has ranked second among the cities with the most polluted air, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 281.

Dhaka’s air quality was classified as ‘very unhealthy’ at 7:35am on Sunday (November 24), according to the ranking published by IQAir.

Pakistan Lahore (423) ranks first and India's Delhi (268) is third on the list, according to IQAir.

Dhaka’s air quality was ranked moderate, but the PM2.5 concentration in Dhaka was 18.2 times higher than the WHO annual air quality guideline value.

An AQI score between 51 and 100 means the air quality is moderate. It is categorised as unhealthy for sensitive groups if the score remains between 101 and 150.

When the score ranges between 151 and 200, it is considered unhealthy. Similarly, an AQI score of 201 to 300 is considered an emergency with health warnings. Any score above 300 is considered to be hazardous.

Being one of the world’s most densely-populated cities in the world, Dhaka has been struggling with poor air quality for a long time. The quality deteriorates further during the summer and winter but improves slightly in the monsoon.

A 2019 study by the Department of Environment and the World Bank identified automobile smoke, dust from building sites, and brick kilns as the three primary sources of air pollution in the city.