Dhaka Air Quality Improves to ‘Moderate’ After Rain, AQI Drops to 86

Dhaka’s air quality improved to the ‘moderate’ category on Saturday morning after rainfall in the capital.

The city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 86 at 9:29am. This placed Dhaka 16th among the world’s most polluted cities.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’. A score between 51 and 100 is classified as ‘moderate’. Readings from 101 to 200 are considered ‘unhealthy’, especially for sensitive groups.

An AQI between 201 and 300 is rated ‘poor’. A reading between 301 and 400 is considered ‘hazardous’. Such conditions can pose serious health risks.

Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo topped the global pollution list with an AQI of 174. Kampala in Uganda ranked second with 162. Jakarta in Indonesia came third with a score of 159.

Government agencies use the Air Quality Index (AQI) to measure daily air pollution. The index also helps people understand the health risks of poor air quality.

In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on six major pollutants. These include PM10, PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), and ozone (O₃).

Dhaka has struggled with air pollution for many years. Air quality usually becomes unhealthy during winter. It often improves during the monsoon because rainfall helps reduce airborne pollutants.

Air pollution remains one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution causes around seven million deaths every year. It increases the risk of stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

Source: UNB