Dhaka ranked third among the world’s most polluted cities on Saturday morning, October 3, 2026, after its Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 170, placing the city in the “unhealthy” category.
According to the AQI report, the reading was recorded at 9:14am, indicating that air pollution levels had reached a level that could pose health risks to residents.
Lahore Tops Global Pollution Ranking
Pakistan’s Lahore ranked first on the list with an AQI of 214, while India’s Kolkata came second with an AQI of 190. Delhi ranked fourth with an AQI of 168.
An AQI between 151 and 200 is classified as “unhealthy,” while readings between 201 and 300 are considered “very unhealthy.” AQI levels above 301 fall into the hazardous category.
What Does Dhaka’s AQI Mean?
An AQI score is used to indicate the level of air pollution and its potential effects on public health. In Bangladesh, the index takes into account five major pollutants, including PM10, PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and ozone.
An AQI between 50 and 100 is generally considered moderate, while levels from 101 to 150 are classified as unhealthy for sensitive groups.
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Air Pollution Remains a Persistent Concern
Dhaka has faced persistent air pollution problems, with air quality generally deteriorating during the winter months and improving during the monsoon season.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that air pollution contributes to around seven million deaths worldwide each year, with major health impacts linked to conditions such as stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.
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