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DHAKA: Dhaka ranked the second most polluted city in the world on Monday, with its air quality classified as “unhealthy,” according to the live ranking of international air quality monitoring platform IQAir.
The ranking, recorded between 7am and 8am on October 5, showed India’s capital New Delhi at the top with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 389. Dhaka followed with an AQI score of 182, indicating air that is unhealthy for everyone.
Kolkata ranked third with an AQI score of 172. Jakarta and Lahore jointly ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, with scores of 167.
Kuala Lumpur ranked sixth with a score of 158, followed by Manama, Bahrain, with 152. Malaysia’s Kuching and Singapore ranked eighth and ninth, respectively, both with scores of 149. Doha ranked tenth with a score of 142.
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a major contributor to Dhaka’s poor air quality. These particles, which are smaller than 2.5 micrometres in diameter, can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, increasing the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and heart disease.
According to global air quality standards, an AQI below 50 is considered good, while 51–100 is considered moderate. A score of 101–150 is unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children and older adults. An AQI of 151–200 is unhealthy for everyone, 201–300 is very unhealthy, and levels above 300 are considered hazardous.