Dhaka, the overcrowded capital of Bangladesh, ranked 24th among cities with the worst air quality on Friday morning, scoring 69 on the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 10 am.

According to the index, Dhaka’s air was classified as “moderate,” posing a light health risk, particularly for sensitive groups. Cairo, Kabul, and Kinshasa topped the list with AQI scores of 278, 165, and 159 respectively.

The AQI categorizes pollution levels from “moderate” (50–100) to “hazardous” (301+). Dhaka, which has long struggled with air pollution, typically experiences worse air quality in winter and improvement during the monsoon.

The AQI in Bangladesh measures five key pollutants—PM10, PM2.5, NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates air pollution causes around seven million deaths annually, mainly from stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory illnesses.

MN/