Dhaka Ranks Sixth Among World's Most Polluted Cities on Monday

Dhaka's air quality remained in the 'unhealthy' category on Monday morning, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 162 at 8:40 am.

With this reading, the capital ranked sixth among the world's most polluted cities.

Pakistan's Lahore topped the list with an AQI score of 501, followed by India's Kolkata at 192 and Delhi at 187.

A day earlier, at 8:40 am on Sunday, Dhaka ranked fourth among the world's most polluted cities, with an AQI score of 165.

An AQI score between 50 and 100 is considered 'moderate', indicating acceptable air quality. Readings between 101 and 150 are classified as 'unhealthy for sensitive groups', while scores from 151 to 200 fall into the 'unhealthy' category.

AQI readings between 201 and 300 are considered 'very unhealthy', while scores above 300 are classified as 'hazardous' and pose serious health risks.

The AQI is a daily indicator of air quality that measures pollution levels and indicates potential health effects.

In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and ozone.