Dhaka Ranks 10th Among World's Most Polluted Cities on Tuesday

Dhaka ranked 10th among the world's most polluted cities on Tuesday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 134 at 10:40 am.

The reading placed the capital in the 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' category, indicating potential health risks for vulnerable people.

Pakistan's Lahore topped the list with an AQI score of 329, followed by India's Delhi at 222 and Indonesia's Jakarta at 165.

According to the AQI scale, readings between 101 and 150 are classified as 'unhealthy for sensitive groups', while scores from 151 to 200 indicate 'unhealthy' air quality. 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 that measures air pollution levels and provides information about their potential effects on public health.

In Bangladesh, air quality is assessed based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and ozone.

The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution causes around seven million deaths worldwide each year. These deaths are primarily linked to stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.