Dhaka Fifth Among World's Most Polluted Cities Today: Morning AQI 174, Air Rated 'Unhealthy'
The capital Dhaka ranks fifth today on the list of the world's most polluted cities. On Sunday morning the city's air quality was at the 'unhealthy' level, a cause of health concern for residents.
At 10:15am on Sunday (25 October), Dhaka's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 174. That level is considered 'unhealthy'.
According to data from the Switzerland-based air quality monitoring organisation IQAir, at the same time Kuching in Malaysia topped the list with an AQI score of 204.
Mumbai in India was second with a score of 195. Lahore in Pakistan was third with 189, and India's Kolkata was fourth with 174 as well. Despite having the same score as Kolkata, Dhaka placed fifth on the list.
Under the AQI scale, scores of 0 to 50 are considered good, 51 to 100 moderate, and 101 to 150 unhealthy for sensitive groups.
Scores of 151 to 200 are considered 'unhealthy', 201 to 300 'very unhealthy', and above 301 'hazardous'. On that scale, Dhaka's score of 174 today falls squarely in the unhealthy category.
In unhealthy air, children, older people and those with breathing problems or heart disease face the greatest risk. On such days, health experts advise avoiding unnecessary time outdoors and using a mask when needed.
Dhaka's air pollution is a long-standing problem. Environmentalists have repeatedly said pollution rises every day from sources including construction dust, vehicle emissions, brick kilns and open waste burning.
As the winter season approaches, Dhaka's air quality usually worsens further. Falling humidity and rising dust levels are major reasons behind that deterioration.
Asian cities dominate today's list — all of the top five are in Asia. Kuching, Mumbai, Lahore, Kolkata and Dhaka are the five cities at the top of today's ranking of the world's most polluted cities.
Many residents going out in the morning felt the presence of dust and haze. Low visibility and a heaviness in the air made the level of pollution apparent.
IQAir's list is updated daily and Dhaka's position moves up and down at different times of the day. But this morning's picture is a fresh warning sign over the city's air quality.
