Severely Polluted Air in the Dhaka
On November 26, the capital’s air was among the most severely polluted in the world. As of 8:30 AM, Dhaka’s score on the Air Quality Index (IQAir) was 291.
This level is considered highly unhealthyOn November 27, it ranked second in air pollution among 120 cities worldwide. During the same period, Lahore, Pakistan, topped the list with a score of 399.
Last Friday (On November 27), it a weekly holiday, and, the following two days Dhaka’s air remained highly unhealthy.
Switzerland-based organization IQAir regularly highlights air pollution levels. This live or real-time index provides information and warnings about how clean or polluted the air is in a specific city.
In the pro-dry season, Dhaka’s air became classified as unhealthy. Such air is harmful to anyone. Areas with poor pollution levels in and around Dhaka include Eastern Housing-2, the US Embassy, and Becharam Deuri.
The primary component of Dhaka’s air pollution is the presence of fine particulate matter, or PM2.5. Today, the level of PM2.5 in Dhaka’s air is 43% higher than the standard set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Protective Measures
Given the current state of air pollution, IQAir recommends the following to stay safe:
- Make it a habit to always wear a mask whenever you go outside.
- Refrain from exercising in outdoor areas.
- Ensure that windows are kept closed in your home.
