Dhaka`s air quality saw a significant improvement this morning (July 14, 2025) following rainfall, ranking 57th on the list of cities with the worst air quality.

The city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 55 at 9:25 am, with air classified as `moderate`—posing a light health threat, particularly to sensitive individuals.

The improvement marks a stark contrast from the previous day, when Dhaka ranked seventh with an AQI score of 147, categorised as ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups.’

According to AQI standards, a score between 50 and 100 indicates `moderate` air quality, meaning that while the general public is less likely to be affected, individuals with respiratory issues should consider limiting extended outdoor activities. Scores between 101 and 150 are considered `unhealthy for sensitive groups,` and higher levels are associated with increasing health risks.

This morning, the cities with the worst air quality globally were Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo) with an AQI of 176, Santiago (Chile) at 167, and Hanoi (Vietnam), also at 167.

The AQI in Bangladesh is calculated based on concentrations of five key pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen dioxide (NO?), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO?), and ozone (O?).

Dhaka, one of the most densely populated cities in the world, has long battled with air pollution, especially during the dry winter months when the AQI often rises to unhealthy levels. In contrast, the monsoon season typically brings relief as rains help clear dust and other pollutants from the air.

Globally, air pollution remains a leading environmental health risk. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around seven million people die each year due to pollution-related illnesses, including stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections