Dhaka ranks sixth among world's most polluted cities as air turns 'unhealthy'

Bangladesh's capital Dhaka has climbed to sixth place on the list of the world's most polluted cities. On Monday (9 November), Dhaka's air quality score stood at 162, a level considered 'unhealthy' for residents.

The figures come from the Air Quality Index of IQAir, the Switzerland-based air quality monitoring organisation. Dhaka's position was recorded among 126 cities around the world on Monday.

Air pollution is rising day by day in cities across the world as the climate keeps changing and development work continues everywhere. Dhaka's air quality is also moving in a worrying direction, the index shows.

According to IQAir, Pakistan's Lahore topped the list of the world's most polluted cities on the day, with an air quality score of 501. Air at that level is considered 'hazardous' for residents.

India's West Bengal capital Kolkata stood second on the list with a score of 192. Third was India's capital New Delhi, with a score of 187.

Herzegovina's capital Sarajevo was fourth with a score of 173, while Mongolia's capital Ulaanbaatar was fifth with a score of 172.

Under IQAir's standards, a score between zero and 50 means the air quality is 'very good'. A score from 51 to 100 is considered 'moderate' or acceptable.

A score from 101 to 150 is regarded as 'unhealthy for sensitive groups'. A score from 151 to 200 is considered 'unhealthy'. Dhaka's score of 162 falls in that range.

A score from 201 to 300 is treated as 'very unhealthy'. Anything above 301 is considered 'hazardous'. Lahore's score of 501 sits in that category.

Dhaka's air quality figures come at a time when pollution is rising in cities around the world, according to the index. Compared with the scores of the cities at the top of the list, Dhaka's position also looks worrying.

Dhaka's score of 162 means the city's air is now at an unhealthy level even for ordinary residents. Its sixth place on the list reflects that picture.