Air pollution continues to worsen across major cities worldwide, with South Asia experiencing particularly severe conditions during the dry season. According to the air quality monitoring platform IQAir, Dhaka ranked third among the world’s most polluted cities at 8:30am on Saturday, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 222. Although the level has slightly decreased over the past week, air quality in the capital remains at a level considered harmful to health. A score of 151–200 is labelled “unhealthy,” 201–300 “very unhealthy,” and 301–400 “hazardous,” posing serious health risks to the general population. Experts say that while short-term precautionary measures are important, sustainable urban planning, stricter emission controls and effective monitoring mechanisms are essential for long-term improvement in air quality.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 28, 2026 04:33 UTC