Dhaka, the overcrowded capital of Bangladesh, ranked sixth among cities with the worst air quality Friday morning, with an AQI score of 132 recorded at 9:15 am (19 September , 2025).
The city’s air was classified as “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” posing health risks to vulnerable people, according to the AQI index. This marks the first time in a long while that Dhaka’s air has fallen into this category, reports UNB.
An AQI score between 50 and 100 is considered “moderate,” while 101–150 is “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” 151–200 is “unhealthy,” 201–300 is “very unhealthy,” and any reading above 301 is deemed “hazardous,” carrying severe health risks. Sensitive individuals are advised to limit prolonged outdoor activity even when air quality is moderate.
Friday morning, Indonesia’s Jakarta, India’s Delhi, and Uganda’s Kampala topped the global list of most polluted cities, with AQI scores of 172, 168, and 167, respectively.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a daily measure that indicates how clean or polluted the air is and what associated health effects may arise. In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five key pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO₂, CO, SO₂, and ozone.
Dhaka has long struggled with severe air pollution. The capital’s air quality typically deteriorates during winter and improves in the monsoon season.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution causes an estimated seven million deaths globally each year, primarily due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.
