Under the influence of a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, the air quality in Dhaka improved slightly on Friday morning. 

At 10:30am, the overcrowded capital recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 55, marking a ‘moderate’ level with light health concerns.

Dhaka ranked 50th among the world’s most polluted cities, while Delhi (172), Cairo (162), and Johannesburg (153) topped the list.

An AQI between 50–100 is considered ‘moderate,’ with minimal health risks for sensitive groups. Dhaka’s air has maintained this level for the past few days.

Air quality in Bangladesh is measured based on five pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. While Dhaka’s air usually deteriorates in winter, it improves during the monsoon season.

According to the World Health Organization, air pollution causes around seven million deaths globally each year due to heart disease, stroke, respiratory issues, and cancer.

MN/