Dhaka’s Air Quality Ranks Second Worst Globally with AQI 179 Amid Unhealthy Conditions

By Maksuda Lisa (Dhaka Bureau), Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, has plunged into a severe smog and dust-laden condition, ranking second globally with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 179, categorized as ‘Unhealthy.’ As the winter chill begins to approach, the departure of the monsoon and the onset of dry weather have accelerated the accumulation of suspended fine particulate matter and hazardous pollutants in the air. According to real-time data from the international air quality monitoring organization IQAir, India’s capital, New Delhi, topped the global list of major cities with an AQI score of 270. Dhaka followed in second place with 179, while Pakistan’s Lahore ranked third with a score of 170. Pollution Levels Exceed General Averages in Specific Pockets While Dhaka’s overall AQI stood at 179, severe variations were recorded across different neighborhoods, with several areas experiencing pollution levels significantly higher than the citywide average. The BIDS area in Agargaon recorded an AQI of 188, while Becharam Deuri in Old Dhaka recorded 186. High population density, vehicular congestion, widespread construction work, road excavation, and uncoordinated urban management have drastically worsened air quality in these zones. Dry Weather Escalates Pollution Pressures Dhaka’s current air pollution is driven by multiple compounding factors. The transition from the monsoon season to dry weather, a reduction in wind speed, and the simultaneous activation of various local pollution sources have significantly increased fine particulate concentrations in the atmosphere. Of primary concern is PM2.5, an ultra-fine particulate matter that can remain suspended in the dry air for prolonged periods. Atmospheric stagnation often traps these pollutants near the ground rather than dispersing them upward, causing severe degradation in air quality. These factors intersect with construction dust, vehicular exhaust, road dust, brick kiln emissions, and open waste burning. Construction and Road Dust Unregulated construction remains one of the primary drivers of Dhaka’s air pollution. Megaprojects, private building construction, and city corporation road digging operations frequently fail to spray water regularly, allowing dust from construction sites to disperse effortlessly into the atmosphere. Similar conditions arise from the uncovered transport and storage of construction materials. Simultaneous infrastructure work spanning roads, utilities, water, gas, and electricity across multiple neighborhoods has vastly increased soil excavation and dust generation. Without proper enclosure of work zones, covered materials, and routine water-spraying protocols, these dust particles readily blend into the ambient air. Vehicular Emissions as a Major Source Busy thoroughfares in Dhaka continuously inject pollutants into the air through aging and high-emission vehicles. Incomplete combustion in engines generates carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and various other harmful toxins. Traffic congestion further exacerbates this by locking vehicular exhaust in concentrated areas for extended durations. Impact of Brick Kilns and Waste Burning During the dry season, brick kilns operating in the outskirts of Dhaka become active, contributing regional smoke and particulate matter to the broader airshed. Additionally, open burning of solid waste and plastics, alongside industrial emissions, places compounding stress on the city’s air quality. High Density and Urban Management Pressures As Bangladesh’s primary administrative, commercial, and employment hub, Dhaka hosts millions of daily residents and commuters. High population density, growing vehicle fleets, expanding housing and infrastructure construction, and immense strain on road networks collectively degrade the urban environment. Consequently, Dhaka’s air pollution cannot be dismissed as a mere seasonal anomaly; it is deeply intertwined with long-standing pressures in urbanization, transportation, construction, and environmental governance. Urgent Call for Implementing High Court Directives Prof. Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, Dean of the Faculty of Science at Stamford University Bangladesh, Chairman of the Department of Environmental Science, and Founder-Director of the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), warned that unless High Court directives are strictly implemented, Dhaka’s air pollution crisis could surpass all historical records. He emphasized that dangerously elevated levels of PM2.5 and PM10 pose grave threats to public health, particularly for children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory illnesses. This surge threatens to trigger an unprecedented influx of hospital admissions and plunge the overall environment into deeper crisis. Highlighting the urgency of enforcing High Court guidelines during the dry season, Dr. Majumder noted that the lack of rainfall and low wind speeds cause dust particles to linger in the atmosphere for extended periods, intensifying pollution levels. Timely interventions are vital to spare city residents from heightened health risks throughout the winter months.

Professor Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder- Environmental Scientist, Faculty of Science, Stamford University Bangladesh

Key Recommendations by Experts: Strict Control on Construction: Authorities must mandate regular water spraying and complete containment enclosures at all active construction sites, accompanied by rigorous monitoring to halt exposed material storage and dust dispersion. Crackdown on High-Emission Vehicles: Mobile courts must be deployed to enforce legal actions against unfit and black-smoke-emitting vehicles, moving beyond basic paperwork checks to regular punitive measures. Halting Illegal Brick Kilns and Open Burning: Authorities must swiftly penalize illegal brick kilns, enforce eco-friendly technologies, and rigorously prohibit open municipal waste and plastic burning across urban spaces.

Dr. Ayesha Akter, Deputy Director of the 250-bed TB Hospital in Dhaka

Long-Term Strategic Planning: Isolated enforcement drives alone cannot permanently resolve air pollution. Dr. Majumder called for coordinated monitoring mechanisms involving the Department of Environment, City Corporations, BRTA, and Traffic Police. Long-term measures must include establishing green belts, large-scale tree plantation, expanding eco-friendly public transport, relocating polluting industries outside city limits, modernizing traffic management, and elevating public awareness. Escalating Risks to Lungs and Respiratory Systems Unhealthy air places children, the elderly, and respiratory patients at extreme risk. Ultra-fine particles like PM2.5 penetrate deep into the lungs via the nose and mouth. Prolonged exposure can aggravate respiratory disorders and increase long-term risks of heart disease and stroke. Dr. Ayesha Akhter, Deputy Director of Dhaka’s 250-bed TB Hospital, noted that high concentrations of carbon particles, toxic vehicular fumes, and other pollutants damage lung tissue when inhaled. This elevates the prevalence of asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and related respiratory distress. Pregnant women, children, and senior citizens are particularly vulnerable. Extended exposure can impair normal childhood growth and development while exacerbating cardiovascular and respiratory complications among the elderly. Medical Precautions To safeguard public health, health professionals advise wearing high-quality N95 or KN95 masks instead of ordinary cloth masks when venturing outdoors. Residents are also advised to keep home and office windows closed during peak pollution hours, particularly in early mornings and evenings, and to temporarily avoid early morning or open-air jogging and strenuous physical exercise. However, experts stress that individual caution must be matched by integrated public-private initiatives to control the fundamental sources of air pollution. Policy Exists, Effective Enforcement Lacks Environmental activists point out that despite judicial mandates, many construction zones fail to implement mandatory barriers or regular water-spraying protocols, allowing dust and toxic particulates to mingle unchecked with the air. Tighter monitoring, robust mobile court operations at the onset of the dry season, strict enforcement of environmental codes in construction, crackdowns on polluting vehicles, and the suppression of illegal brick kilns are critical. Mitigating Dhaka’s air pollution requires both immediate enforcement operations and long-term, integrated urban planning and environmental management. Without addressing everyday urban pollution sources, seasonal crackdowns alone will fail to secure permanent improvements in Dhaka’s air quality. Maksuda Lisa: Maksuda Lisa is a senior journalist and one of Bangladesh’s early-generation women sports journalists, with 18 years of experience working across leading national newspapers, including Dainik Banglabazar and Manab Zamin, as well as television, print media, and online news portals. She is currently a Staff Correspondent at Pressenza International Press Agency (Dhaka Bureau). She is the first woman elected Sports Secretary of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) and served two consecutive terms. Alongside journalism, she has been actively involved in cricket-particularly women’s cricket- through team management, coaching, and organizational roles. She served as a Liaison Officer at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cups in 2012 and 2014, Manager of the Pink Team in the BCB Women’s Cricket Cup, and Manager of the Dhaka Abahani women’s team. A former first-class cricketer with a 15-year competitive career, she represented Dhaka and Sylhet Divisions at the competitive level. She is currently a National Panel Umpire with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and Organising Secretary of the Bangladesh Women Cricketers Association (BWCA). She holds a master’s degree in Political Science.

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