Dhaka has been ranked the fourth most polluted city globally among 125 cities, according to the latest air quality data.

As of 10:20 am on Monday (February 17), the city recorded an air quality index of 190 on the IQ Air scale, placing it in the "unhealthy" category.

IQ Air, a Switzerland-based organization, regularly monitors global air pollution levels. The real-time index measures how clean or polluted the air is in various cities worldwide.

According to IQ Air’s criteria, an air quality score of 0-50 is deemed "good," 51-100 is "moderate," 101-150 is considered "unhealthy for sensitive groups" (such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions), 151-200 is classified as "unhealthy," 201-300 is "very unhealthy," and scores above 301 are considered "hazardous."

At the time of reporting, Lahore, Pakistan, held the top spot for air pollution, with a score of 344, followed by Delhi, India, at 250, and Kathmandu, Nepal, at 215.

The primary contributor to Dhaka’s air pollution is the high concentration of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), which is measured at 22.3 times higher than the World Health Organization's recommended limit.

BDST: 1302 HRS, FEB 17, 2025
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