NN Online:
Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 85 at 9:20 am today (July 2, 2025), placing it 18th on the list of cities with the worst air quality.
According to the AQI classification, Dhaka’s air is currently rated as ‘moderate’, indicating a minor health concern for sensitive individuals. This level of air quality has persisted over recent days, suggesting a gradual improvement in the city’s overall air conditions.
An AQI reading between 51 and 100 is considered ‘moderate’, where only a limited number of people—especially those with respiratory issues—may need to reduce extended outdoor activities. For context, AQI values between 101–150 are categorized as ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, 151–200 as ‘unhealthy’, 201–300 as ‘very unhealthy’, and anything above 300 is deemed ‘hazardous’.
Today, the worst air quality rankings were topped by Dubai (UAE) with an AQI of 180, followed by Kinshasa (DR Congo) at 165, and Manama (Bahrain) at 157.
The AQI is a global standard that reflects daily air pollution levels and their potential health impacts. In Bangladesh, the AQI is determined by monitoring five key pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and ground-level ozone (O₃).
Dhaka has long struggled with poor air quality, particularly during the dry winter months, though the monsoon season typically brings some relief.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for an estimated seven million deaths annually worldwide, primarily due to heart disease, stroke, chronic respiratory illnesses, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
