Dhaka’s Air Quality Remains in the ‘Moderate’ Range
Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked 33rd on the list of cities with the worst air quality. On October 6, 2025, at 9:20am, the city recorded an AQI score of 66. According to the Air Quality Index (AQI), today’s air quality in Dhaka is classified as ‘moderate,’ indicating a light health threat. This level of air quality has persisted for several days, as the city was previously ranked 31st with an AQI score of 66.
The AQI is a tool used to measure and report daily air quality. It provides information about how clean or polluted the air is in a specific city and highlights potential health effects that individuals might experience. The index considers five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone.
Understanding AQI Levels and Health Impacts
The AQI scale is divided into different categories based on the level of pollution:
- 50–100: ‘Moderate’ – this range indicates that the air quality is acceptable, but there may be a moderate health concern for a small number of sensitive individuals.
- 101–150: ‘Unhealthy for sensitive groups’ – certain individuals, such as those with respiratory conditions, may experience mild effects.
- 151–200: ‘Unhealthy’ – everyone may begin to experience some adverse effects.
- 201–300: ‘Very unhealthy’ – health warnings are issued, and the general population may be affected.
- 301+: ‘Hazardous’ – this level poses serious health risks to all residents.
Dhaka currently falls within the ‘moderate’ category, which means that while the air quality is generally acceptable, it may still pose some risk to sensitive groups, such as children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing health conditions.
Global Air Quality Rankings
On the global scale, Uzbekistan’s Tashkent, India’s Kolkata, and China’s Wuhan occupied the top three positions on the list of cities with the worst air quality. Their respective AQI scores were 195, 157, and 151.
These rankings highlight the ongoing challenges many urban centers face in managing air pollution, especially in regions with high population density, industrial activity, and limited environmental regulations.
Long-Term Challenges for Dhaka
Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution, particularly during the winter months when the air quality tends to deteriorate. However, the situation often improves during the monsoon season due to increased rainfall, which helps to wash away pollutants from the atmosphere.
Despite these seasonal variations, the city continues to face significant challenges in maintaining clean air. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution is responsible for approximately seven million deaths worldwide each year. These fatalities are primarily linked to conditions such as stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
Ongoing Efforts and Future Outlook
While the AQI remains in the ‘moderate’ range for now, the long-term goal for Dhaka is to reduce its pollution levels and improve public health outcomes. This requires a combination of policy changes, stricter enforcement of environmental regulations, and increased public awareness about the importance of clean air.
Efforts to address air pollution in Dhaka include promoting the use of cleaner energy sources, improving public transportation systems, and implementing measures to control industrial emissions. However, sustained commitment from both the government and the public will be essential to achieving meaningful progress.
