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Dhaka, October 17 — Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, has placed sixth on the list of urban areas with the most polluted air, recording an AQI of 174 at 10:50 am today (October 17, 2025).

Today, Dhaka’s air was categorized as ‘unhealthy,’ indicating a health risk, based on the AQI index. This level of air quality has persisted for several days, with the AQI remaining above 150.

If the AQI level for particle pollution falls within 50 to 100, the air quality is classified as ‘moderate,’ and individuals who are sensitive may want to reduce extended outdoor activities. When the AQI ranges from 101 to 150, it is categorized as ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups.’ An AQI between 150 and 200 is labeled ‘unhealthy,’ while a value from 201 to 300 is considered ‘very unhealthy.’ An AQI of 301 or higher is deemed ‘hazardous,’ presenting significant health dangers to the population.

Lahore in Pakistan, Delhi in India, and Kolkata secured the top three positions on the list, with AQI readings of 304, 215, and 200 respectively.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool used to communicate the daily air quality, helping individuals understand how clean or contaminated the air in a specific city is, as well as the potential health risks that may arise.

The air quality index in Bangladesh considers five contaminants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and ozone.

Dhaka’s ‘unhealthy’ air persists

Dhaka has continuously faced challenges with air pollution. The city’s air quality typically becomes poor during the winter months and improves when the monsoon season arrives.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for approximately seven million deaths globally each year, primarily because of higher death rates from stroke, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.