Dhaka ranked 32nd on the list of cities with the worst air quality on Thursday morning (August 21, 2025), recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 64 at 9:40 am.
According to the AQI scale, this places the city’s air in the ‘moderate’ category, indicating a light health threat for sensitive individuals.
Over the past several days, Dhaka’s air quality has remained within the 'moderate' range, where AQI values fall between 51 and 100. In this range, the air is generally acceptable, though people with respiratory issues or other health sensitivities are advised to limit prolonged outdoor exertionn.
The AQI is a tool used globally to communicate the level of air pollution and associated health risks. It measures the concentration of key pollutants, including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and ground-level ozone.
Cities topping Thursday’s global pollution list include Kampala (Uganda) with an AQI of 160, Jakarta (Indonesia) with 135, and Manama (Bahrain) with 132 — all of which fell into the 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' category or worse.
Although Dhaka’s current air quality is less alarming compared to other cities on the list, the capital has long struggled with pollution, particularly during the dry winter months when air quality often dips to hazardous levels.
Monsoon rains typically help reduce airborne pollutants, leading to improved air conditions.
Globally, air pollution remains a major health concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around seven million people die each year due to air pollution-related illnesses, including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and infections.
Authorities and experts continue to urge efforts to reduce pollution sources in cities like Dhaka to ensure healthier living environments, especially for vulnerable populations.
