Dhaka ranked 34th among cities with the worst air quality this morning (July 20, 2025), recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 62 at 9:40 am, according to the latest data.

The reading places the city in the `moderate` category, indicating a light health risk for sensitive individuals.

An AQI score between 50 and 100 is considered moderate, meaning air quality is generally acceptable but may pose a slight concern for people with respiratory conditions or other sensitivities. Health experts advise such individuals to limit prolonged outdoor activities.

Topping the list of cities with the poorest air quality were Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with an AQI of 170, Kampala in Uganda with 169, and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia with 152 — all falling into the `unhealthy` range.

The AQI is a global standard used to inform the public about how polluted or clean the air is in a specific area, as well as potential health implications. In Bangladesh, the AQI is calculated based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO?), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO?), and ozone (O?).

Dhaka, one of the world’s most densely populated cities, has long struggled with severe air pollution, particularly during the dry winter months. Air quality tends to improve during the monsoon season, as rainfall helps clear pollutants from the air.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution causes an estimated seven million premature deaths annually across the globe, primarily due to heart disease, stroke, chronic respiratory conditions, lung cancer, and acute infections.

As Dhaka currently experiences monsoon-season air quality improvements, today`s moderate reading offers a temporary reprieve — but experts stress the need for long-term solutions to tackle the city`s chronic pollution challenges.