Dhaka`s air quality was recorded at a ‘moderate’ level on Monday morning, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 66 at 9:06 am, placing the city 33rd among the most polluted cities worldwide.

Hanoi in Vietnam, Kampala in Uganda, and Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo topped the list with AQI scores of 170, 167, and 166, respectively.

An AQI score between 50 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’, meaning the air quality is generally acceptable. However, sensitive individuals are advised to limit prolonged outdoor exertion. Higher levels pose greater health risks, with scores above 300 categorized as ‘hazardous’.

The AQI, which measures daily air quality, is calculated in Bangladesh based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone.

Air pollution has long been a major concern in Dhaka, particularly during the winter months when air quality typically deteriorates. Conditions usually improve during the monsoon season.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for approximately seven million deaths annually worldwide, mainly due to stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.