Summary:
- Dhaka’s air quality reached a hazardous level with an AQI score of 445 on Sunday morning, making it the most polluted city among 125 cities globally.
- Gulshan Lake Park recorded the highest pollution with AQI 769, followed by Rob Bhaban at 728 and US Embassy area at 706, indicating severe health risks for residents.
- Baghdad ranked second with AQI 444, while Karachi (248), Hanoi (216), and Ulaanbaatar (213) followed in the global pollution rankings.
- Health experts warn of potential public health emergency if AQI levels remain above 300 for three consecutive days, advising residents to avoid outdoor activities and wear masks.
The capital city of Bangladesh has hit alarming levels of air pollution as Dhaka recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 445 on Sunday morning at 10:05 AM, ranking it as the most polluted city among 125 cities worldwide[7].
The hazardous air quality situation has particularly affected several key areas of the city. Gulshan Lake Park registered an extreme AQI of 769, while Gulshan-2’s Rob Bhaban reached 728, and the US Embassy area recorded 706[7].
The severity of the situation is highlighted by the fact that Baghdad trails closely behind Dhaka with an AQI score of 444, while Karachi, Pakistan, ranks third with 248[7]. The current readings represent some of the worst air quality measurements recorded in recent times[4].
Health experts are particularly concerned about the implications of these hazardous levels. When AQI scores exceed 300, it triggers maximum health alerts, indicating that everyone may experience serious health effects[3]. The current conditions are especially dangerous for sensitive groups, including children, elderly, and those with respiratory conditions[3].
The air quality crisis is further evidenced by the rapid deterioration over recent days. Just yesterday, Dhaka ranked 10th globally with an AQI score of 163[5], showing a dramatic worsening of conditions within 24 hours.
In response to the crisis, health advisories have been issued recommending that residents:
- Avoid all outdoor activities
- Wear appropriate protective masks when outdoors
- Use air purifiers indoors
- Take extra precautions for sensitive groups
Environmental experts emphasize that if AQI levels remain above 300 for three consecutive days during three-hour intervals, authorities should declare a public health emergency[7].
This latest spike in pollution levels adds to Dhaka’s ongoing air quality challenges, as the city has been experiencing a concerning trend of deteriorating air quality, with an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 90 μg/m3[6].
Source: Dhaka Tribune
