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Dhaka’s air quality improved to a ‘moderate’ level on Wednesday morning as rainfall helped reduce pollution across the capital.
The city ranked 22nd among the world’s most polluted cities, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 77 at 9:15am, according to monitoring data.
Under AQI standards, a score between 51 and 100 is classified as ‘moderate’, meaning air quality is generally acceptable, though a small number of sensitive individuals may experience mild health effects.
Kinshasa topped the global pollution list with an AQI score of 188, followed by Kuwait City at 156 and Dubai at 134.
The AQI measures air quality based on key pollutants, including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and ozone.
Higher readings indicate greater health risks, with levels above 300 considered ‘hazardous’.
Dhaka has long struggled with severe air pollution, particularly during the winter months when levels often reach unhealthy ranges.
However, air quality typically improves during the monsoon season as rainfall helps clear airborne pollutants.
According to the World Health Organization, air pollution contributes to around seven million deaths globally each year, linked to diseases such as stroke, heart disease, chronic respiratory conditions and lung cancer.