Dhaka has been ranked as the most polluted city in the world among 123 countries in terms of air quality. On Monday at 8:38 AM, the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded Dhaka’s score at 243, categorizing the air quality as ‘very unhealthy.’

At the same time, Yangon, Myanmar, secured the second position on the list of the most polluted cities with an AQI score of 204. Pakistan’s Lahore ranked third with a score of 201, while Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, held fourth place with a score of 198. India’s capital, Delhi, ranked fifth with a score of 195.

According to AQI standards, a score between 0 and 50 is considered good, while 51 to 100 is categorized as moderate. Scores from 101 to 150 are deemed unhealthy for sensitive groups. Air quality is classified as ‘unhealthy’ when the AQI ranges from 151 to 200, while a score between 201 and 300 is categorized as ‘very unhealthy.’

The air quality assessment is conducted by Swiss-based organization IQAir, which regularly monitors pollution levels worldwide. Their report indicates that the primary source of pollution in Dhaka is fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which significantly contributes to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and long-term risks such as cancer. The air pollution in Dhaka has been a persistent problem, worsening during winter and slightly improving during the monsoon season.

A 2019 report by the Department of Environment and the World Bank identified three main sources of air pollution in Dhaka: brick kilns, vehicle emissions, and dust from construction sites. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that air pollution is a major factor behind strokes, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. It is estimated that air pollution contributes to the deaths of approximately seven million people worldwide each year.