Dhaka’s air quality ‘very unhealthy’

Dhaka’s air quality has been identified as ‘very unhealthy’. Dhaka ranks second in the world’s list of air-polluted cities with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 237 in the 10 am update on Friday (February 16).

Earlier, Dhaka topped the list of the world’s most polluted cities with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 239 in the 8 am update. Dhaka’s air quality has been in ‘very unhealthy’ condition for the past six mornings. Air AQI scores on February 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 were 263, 257, 286, 232, 288 and 266 respectively.

An AQI score between 101-150 is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ and between 150-200 is considered ‘unhealthy’. A score between 201-300 is considered ‘very unhealthy’ and an AQI score of 301+ is considered ‘hazardous’, posing a serious health risk to residents.

Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.

Air pollution consistently ranks among the top risk factors for death and disability worldwide. Breathing polluted air has long been recognized as increasing a person’s chances of developing a heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, lung infections and cancer, according to several studies.

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.