Dhaka, the overcrowded capital of Bangladesh, has topped the list of cities with the worst air quality, registering an AQI score of 230 at 9am on Friday, placing it in the "very unhealthy" category. 

This severe air pollution poses significant health risks to residents, with the AQI scale indicating that levels above 200 are extremely hazardous.

Following Dhaka, Ho Chi Minh City, Delhi, and Phnom Penh ranked second, third, and fourth on the list, with AQI scores of 220, 198, and 187, respectively. 

The AQI measures the concentration of pollutants, including particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and ozone.

Air quality in Dhaka worsens during winter, with improvement typically seen in the monsoon season. 

According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is responsible for an estimated seven million deaths annually worldwide, largely from heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infections.

BDST: 1326 HRS, JAN 24, 2025
MN