Dhaka among most polluted city in the world

Dhaka still continues to rank among the cities that have the lowest quality of air in the world. However, the quality of air in Dhaka has improved a little on Monday. In the US Air Quality Index (AQI), measured at 9:15am on Monday, Dhaka ranked seventh in the real time air quality rankings. According to data available from a smartphone application named AirVisual, which shows the user real-time air pollution index of any city across the globe, Dhaka received a score of 172, which signifies unhealthy air quality. The lowest quality of air was detected in Afghanistan's capital Kabul, which stood at 310, meaning very hazardous. Earlier on Sunday, Dhaka received a score of 242 and ranked second among the cities that have the lowest quality of air. Earlier while talking to the Dhaka Tribune, Department of Environment Director (Air quality management) Md Ziaul Haque said: “The air quality in Dhaka will continue to remain like this throughout February and March. “However, the quality of air will improve during the monsoon season.” The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the Air Quality Index to report air quality. This AQI is divided into six categories, indicating increasing levels of health concern. An AQI value over 300 represents hazardous air quality and below 50 the air quality is good. The index is based on the five criteria pollutants regulated under the Clean Air Act– ground-level ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. The AQI debuted in 1968, when the National Air Pollution Control Administration undertook an initiative to develop an air quality index and to apply the methodology to Metropolitan Statistical Areas.