Dhaka Tops World Pollution Rankings With Dangerous Air Quality Index Reading

Dhaka has once again grabbed global attention for the wrong reasons, ranking as the most polluted city in the world on Thursday morning with an Air Quality Index of 181, recorded at 8:58 am. The air quality level was officially classified as “unhealthy,” signaling that prolonged exposure poses genuine health risks to residents across the capital.

The reading placed Dhaka ahead of Lahore, Pakistan, which came in second with an AQI of 156, followed by Kolkata, India at 135, and Jakarta, Indonesia at 127.

Under established AQI standards, a score between 101 and 150 is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups such as the elderly, children, and those with respiratory conditions. A reading between 151 and 200 is classified as unhealthy for the general public. Levels from 201 to 300 are deemed very unhealthy, while anything above 301 is considered hazardous and poses severe health risks to all population groups.

The AQI system provides daily assessments of how clean or polluted outdoor air is and helps the public understand the associated health implications. In Bangladesh, the index is calculated by measuring five key pollutants: particulate matter in the form of PM2.5 and PM10, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and ground-level ozone.

Dhaka’s air quality problem is not new. The city has historically experienced its worst pollution levels during the dry winter months, with conditions typically improving once the monsoon season brings rainfall to wash away suspended particles.

The consequences of poor air quality are severe and well-documented. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution is responsible for approximately seven million deaths worldwide each year, linked primarily to stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

Health authorities continue to urge residents to limit outdoor activity on high-AQI days, wear protective masks when going outside, and ensure indoor spaces remain well-ventilated.