Staff Reporter :
Dhaka has again topped the list of cities around the world with the worst air quality on Tuesday morning.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 241 at 9am, Dhaka ranked first in the list of cities with the most polluted air.
In this situation, The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change yesterday issued an advisory urging people to wear masks when outdoors, while “sensitive individuals” are requested to avoid going outside unless absolutely necessary.
The ministry issued the advisory said that the air quality in Dhaka and its surrounding areas has deteriorated to an unhealthy and sometimes hazardous level (AQI above 250).
An AQI between 151 and 200 is said to be “unhealthy” while 201 and 300 is considered “very unhealthy”, and 301 to 400 is considered “hazardous”, posing serious health risks to residents.
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants – Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.
The advisory urged citizens to monitor this information and take necessary precautions accordingly.
Additionally, everyone was requested to contribute to air pollution control from their respective positions.
Brick kiln and factory owners, as well as the general public, were advised by the ministry to adopt the following measures which include refraining from burning solid waste; installing proper enclosures and covers at construction sites; keeping construction materials covered; ensuring trucks or lorries transporting construction materials are fully covered; spraying water around construction areas at least twice a day; and avoiding operating old and smoke-emitting vehicles on the roads.
