Dhaka tops list of world’s most polluted cities

Air pollution in Dhaka on Tuesday morning

Dhaka, May 5 - Dhaka ranked top among the world’s most polluted cities on Tuesday morning, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 169 recorded at 10:00am.

The air quality was categorised as “unhealthy”, indicating a significant risk to public health, according to AQI standards.

Kuwait’s Kuwait City ranked 2nd in the list with an AQI of 157 while India’s Delhi (155) is in the third position.

An AQI reading between 151 and 200 is considered “unhealthy”, while 101-150 is classified as “unhealthy for sensitive groups”. Levels of 201-300 are deemed “very unhealthy”, and readings above 301 are labelled “hazardous”, posing severe health risks.

The AQI, which tracks daily air quality, indicates how polluted the air is and the potential health impact on residents.

In Bangladesh, AQI measurements are based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and ozone.

Dhaka has long battled air pollution, with conditions typically worsening in winter and improving during the monsoon season.

According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is responsible for an estimated seven million deaths worldwide each year, mainly from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. - UNB