Dhaka has been ranked seventh among cities with the worst air quality, registering an AQI score of 147 at 9:15 am on July 13, 2025.

According to the Air Quality Index (AQI), this level classifies the air as “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” indicating a potential health risk for vulnerable individuals.

The AQI categorizes particle pollution levels as follows: 50 to 100 is considered “moderate,” where sensitive people should limit prolonged outdoor activities; 101 to 150 is “unhealthy for sensitive groups”; 151 to 200 is “unhealthy”; 201 to 300 is “very unhealthy”; and 301 or above is “hazardous,” posing serious health risks.

Chile’s Santiago topped the list with an AQI of 184, followed by Lahore in Pakistan at 176, and Minneapolis in the USA at 175.

The AQI is a daily air quality reporting tool that informs the public about pollution levels and potential health impacts. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone.

Dhaka has faced persistent air pollution problems, with air quality typically worsening during winter months and improving during the monsoon season.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution causes about seven million deaths globally each year, largely due to stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.