Dhaka air categorised as ‘very unhealthy’ in AQI, ranks 5th worse

Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka was ranked fifth worst in the Air Quality Index on Saturday morning.

It had an AQI score of 228 around 8:20am. The air was classified as ‘very unhealthy’. 

Everyone may experience more serious health effects when the AQI score is between 201 and 300.

China’s Shenyang and Bosnia Herzegovina’s Sarajevo occupied the top two positions in the list of cities with worst air with scores of 304 and 294 respectively.

When the value is more than 300, the air quality is considered hazardous and the entire population is more likely to be affected.

The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
 
In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants — particulate matter — PM10 and PM2.5, NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone. The Department of Environment has also set national ambient air quality standards for these pollutants. These standards aim to protect against adverse human health impacts.

Dhaka, an overcrowded megacity, has long been grappling with air pollution. The air quality usually improves during monsoon.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net