Dhaka’s air remains ‘unhealthy’ even on holiday

DHAKA: Air quality in Dhaka remained unhealthy even on the holiday (Friday), according to the latest data from Swiss-based air quality monitoring organization IQAir. Dhaka ranked fourth among the world’s most polluted cities on Friday morning.

According to IQAir’s updated list released Friday (September 18), Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur topped the ranking with an air quality index (AQI) score of 205. Air at this level is classified as “very unhealthy.”

Malaysia’s Kuching ranked second with an AQI score of 190, while Pakistan’s historic city Lahore ranked third with a score of 181.

Dhaka ranked fourth with an AQI score of 165, placing its air quality in the “unhealthy” category. Indonesia’s densely populated capital Jakarta followed in fifth place with a score of 157.

According to IQAir’s air quality scale, an AQI score of 0–50 is considered “good,” 51–100 “moderate,” 101–150 “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” 151–200 “unhealthy,” 201–300 “very unhealthy,” and above 300 “hazardous.”

Experts say that without coordinated measures to control air pollution, regulate construction activities and address the impacts of climate change, urban life could become increasingly risky for residents.