Dhaka once again recorded the worst air quality in the world on Sunday morning, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 176 at 9:30am, categorizing the city’s air as “unhealthy” and posing significant health risks to its residents.

This marks the second consecutive day Dhaka has topped the list of cities with the most polluted air, following an AQI reading of 173 the previous day.

According to the AQI scale, an index reading between 150 and 200 falls under the ‘unhealthy’ category, meaning that everyone may begin to experience health effects, and sensitive groups may experience more serious conditions. The AQI is determined based on levels of five major pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen dioxide (NO?), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO?), and ozone.

Other South Asian cities also ranked high on Sunday’s pollution chart, with Pakistan’s Karachi and Lahore posting AQI scores of 168 and 159, while Nepal’s Kathmandu followed closely at 158.

Dhaka`s persistent air quality crisis, especially severe during the dry winter months, has made it a regular fixture atop global pollution rankings. While some relief is typically seen during the monsoon season, the city continues to struggle with long-term pollution management.

Air pollution remains a leading environmental health threat. The World Health Organization estimates that around seven million people die annually due to diseases linked to polluted air, including stroke, heart disease, chronic respiratory conditions, and lung cancer.

Health experts urge residents, particularly children, the elderly, and those with existing health conditions, to limit outdoor exposure and use masks or air purifiers when possible.