Desk Report — While global climate change and rapid developmental activities continue to degrade air quality worldwide, residents of Bangladesh’s capital are experiencing a welcome respite.
According to the latest data from Switzerland-based air quality monitoring organization IQAir, Dhaka’s air quality has registered an encouraging shift, safely positioning itself in the “moderate” category.
In the latest global pollution rankings published on Friday (June 26), Dhaka has dropped to the 16th position, marking a significant departure from its frequent placements near the top of the world’s most polluted capital cities.
Jakarta and Kampala Lead Global Pollution Surge
The latest Air Quality Index (AQI) figures show Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, topping the global list with a staggering pollution score of 177, categorizing its atmosphere as outright “unhealthy”.
Following closely in second place is Kampala, Uganda, which registered an AQI score of 175, also firmly within the “unhealthy” bracket. Santiago, Chile, occupied the third spot with a score of 143, indicating air conditions that are “unhealthy for sensitive groups”.
A broader look at the global landscape reveals several other major cities grappling with compromised air quality that poses risks to vulnerable populations.
Cities currently categorized as “unhealthy for sensitive groups” include Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Tel Aviv (Israel), Johannesburg (South Africa), Baghdad (Iraq), and Birmingham (United States).
Understanding the AQI Scale and Health Risks
Dhaka’s recorded AQI score of 82 places it comfortably within the 51–100 range, which IQAir defines as “moderate” or acceptable. For context, the global standardized scale evaluates air quality through specific numerical brackets:
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0 to 50: Considered “Good”.
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51 to 100: Classified as “Moderate”.
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101 to 150: Identified as “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups”.
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151 to 200: Deemed “Unhealthy” for the general public.
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201 to 300: Marked as “Very Unhealthy”.
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301 to 400: Categorized as “Hazardous”.
When a city crosses into the “hazardous” threshold (301–400), it triggers severe health warnings, prompting authorities to advise children, the elderly, and individuals with preexisting respiratory illnesses to remain indoors, while urging the general public to strictly limit outdoor exposure.
A Temporary Relief for Dhaka
Dhaka’s current standing at number 16 on the global index offers a rare moment of environmental comfort for its citizens.
However, experts maintain that structural, long-term environmental strategies remain crucial to ensuring that this moderate air quality becomes a permanent standard rather than a seasonal or temporary fluctuation.