Dhaka’s Air Quality Concerns
On a recent Sunday, Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, was ranked fourth among cities with the worst air quality worldwide. At 9 am, the city recorded a hazardous Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 234, which is considered “very unhealthy.” This level of air pollution poses significant health risks to the residents.
Understanding AQI
The AQI is a global standard that reports daily air quality and its potential health impacts. In Dhaka, the air quality has been consistently poor, with AQI values between 201 and 300 indicating serious health hazards, especially for vulnerable groups.
Comparative Air Quality
Other cities with worse air quality than Dhaka include Delhi in India, Lahore in Pakistan, and Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with AQI scores of 666, 358, and 272, respectively.
Seasonal Variations
Air quality in Dhaka typically worsens during winter due to colder temperatures and seasonal activities, while it improves during the monsoon season.
Pollutants and Health Risks
The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and ozone. Air pollution is a major health crisis, causing millions of deaths annually due to diseases like stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer.
Need for Action
Addressing air pollution in Dhaka requires coordinated efforts, stricter regulations, and innovative solutions to protect public health and the environment.
Doubts Revealed
Dhaka -: Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh, a country located to the east of India. It is a large and busy city with many people living and working there.
Air Pollution -: Air pollution is when harmful substances like smoke, dust, and chemicals are present in the air, making it unhealthy to breathe. It can cause problems for our health and the environment.
AQI -: AQI stands for Air Quality Index. It is a number used to tell us how clean or polluted the air is, and what associated health effects might be a concern for us.
234 AQI -: An AQI of 234 is considered ‘very unhealthy.’ This means the air is very polluted and can cause health problems, especially for people who are sensitive to pollution, like children and the elderly.
Particulate Matter -: Particulate matter is tiny particles in the air that can be harmful when inhaled. They come from sources like vehicles, factories, and burning of wood or coal.
Nitrogen Dioxide -: Nitrogen dioxide is a gas that comes from burning fuel, like in cars and power plants. It can make the air unhealthy to breathe and contribute to air pollution.
Monsoon -: Monsoon is a season in India and nearby countries, including Bangladesh, characterized by heavy rains. It usually helps to clean the air by washing away pollutants.
