Dhaka 4th worst in poor air quality

People trying hard to avoid inhaling dust directly while walking at Postogola Bridge in Dhaka. The capital has long been grappling with air pollution. UNB File Photo
People trying hard to avoid inhaling dust directly while walking at Postogola Bridge in Dhaka. The capital has long been grappling with air pollution. UNB File Photo

Bangladesh’s capital city ranked the fourth worst in Air Quality Index (AQI) on Saturday morning, reports UNB.

Dhaka had a score of 192 at 8:00am, which means the air quality was ‘unhealthy’.

Afganistan’s Kabul, India’s Kolkata, and Pakistan’s Lahore occupied the first three slots with scores of 265, 222 and 214 respectively, UNB says.

When the AQI value is between 151 and 200, every city dweller may begin to experience health effects while members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.

Children, adults, and people with respiratory diseases are advised to avoid outdoor activities while everyone else is suggested to limit prolonged outdoor exertion in this situation.

The air quality is categorised as good when the AQI score remains below 50. The air is classified as moderate when the score is 51-100. But when the number is between 101 and 150, the air is classified as unhealthy for sensitive groups.

The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, tells people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.

Bangladesh’s overcrowded capital has been grappling with air pollution for a long time. The quality usually improves during monsoon.