Dhaka recorded an AQI score of 139 at 9:50 am today (November 17, 2025), placing it 14th among the world’s most polluted cities. According to the AQI scale, the city’s air was categorized as “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” indicating elevated health risks for vulnerable populations.

The AQI system classifies air quality as “moderate” when readings fall between 50 and 100, during which sensitive individuals are advised to limit prolonged outdoor activity. A range of 101–150 is deemed “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” 150–200 is considered “unhealthy,” 201–300 “very unhealthy,” and anything above 301 is labeled “hazardous,” posing severe health risks.

Delhi, Lahore, and Kolkata ranked first, second, and fourth on the list respectively, with AQI levels of 291, 248, and 233.

The Air Quality Index measures daily air pollution and highlights associated health concerns. In Bangladesh, AQI calculations involve five key pollutants: PM10, PM2.5, NO₂, CO, SO₂, and ozone.

Dhaka has struggled with air pollution for years, with conditions typically deteriorating in winter and improving during the monsoon. The World Health Organization estimates that air pollution causes around seven million deaths globally each year, driven by increased rates of heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infections.