Desk Report: In a concerning revelation regarding air pollution, Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, has surged to the top of the list of cities with poor air quality, according to data released by the Air Quality Index (AQI) on Saturday, September 16th.
Riyadh, at the pinnacle of this list, recorded an air quality score of 171, indicating “unhealthy” air conditions. Following closely is Jakarta, Indonesia, with a score of 159, also signifying unhealthy air quality.
The third position on the pollution scale is held by Lahore, Pakistan, with a score of 154, denoting similarly unhealthy air quality.
Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is ranked sixth in this concerning list. Dhaka’s air quality score stands at 136, categorizing the air as “unhealthy” particularly for sensitive groups, including those with asthma and respiratory conditions.
The AQI scale considers air quality as “good” if it falls between 0 and 50, “moderate” between 51 and 100, “unhealthy for sensitive groups” between 101 and 150, “unhealthy” between 151 and 200, and “very unhealthy” or “hazardous” if it exceeds 200.
This report underscores the urgent need for cities around the world to address air pollution and prioritize measures to improve air quality for the health and well-being of their residents.