Dhaka has been ranked 10th on the list of cities with the worst air quality, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 103 recorded at 9:40am today (June 1, 2025).

According to the AQI classification, this level of pollution is considered ‘unhealthy’, posing health concerns for residents.

While the capital experienced moderate air quality in recent days, today’s deterioration marks a return to more hazardous conditions, especially for sensitive individuals.

The AQI measures air pollution levels based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. An AQI score between 101 and 150 indicates air quality that is ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, while 151 to 200 is labeled as ‘unhealthy’. Scores above 200 signify more serious risks, classified as ‘very unhealthy’ and ‘hazardous’.

Topping today’s list of most polluted cities were Santiago in Chile with a score of 159, Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with 158, and Delhi in India with 121.

Dhaka has consistently struggled with air pollution, particularly during the winter months, though conditions tend to improve during the monsoon season.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution contributes to the deaths of around seven million people globally each year, primarily due to illnesses such as stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.