Dbarta24 Desk — Capital city residents experienced a downturn in air quality on Thursday morning (August 6) as Dhaka ranked fourth among the world’s most polluted cities, according to live data from Swiss air quality monitoring technology company IQAir.
Following a brief respite of cleaner air over recent days, Dhaka registered an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 147, placing its atmosphere in the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” category.
Rapid urbanization, ongoing infrastructure development, and shifting climate patterns continue to fuel volatile pollution levels across the metropolis.
Global Air Quality Standings
The United States city of Portland recorded the highest level of air pollution globally on Thursday, topping the index with a “very unhealthy” AQI score of 168.
Uganda’s Kampala followed in second place with a score of 160, while Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, stood third with an AQI of 159. Indonesia’s Medan ranked fifth with a score of 131.
Understanding the Index and Health Risks
IQAir categorizes air quality based on the following standard scale:
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0 to 50: Good
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51 to 100: Moderate
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101 to 150: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
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151 to 200: Unhealthy
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201 to 300: Very Unhealthy
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301 to 400: Hazardous
When air quality ratings fall into the “very unhealthy” tier (201 to 300), environmental and health guidelines recommend that vulnerable populations—including children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions—remain indoors, while the general public is advised to limit outdoor physical activity. Readings above 301 present severe, acute health risks for all urban inhabitants.
With Dhaka lingering near the 150 mark, health professionals urge sensitive individuals across the capital to exercise caution and wear protective masks during morning commutes.