Dhaka's air quality was ranked the worst in the world this morning, with an AQI score of 295 at 8:55 AM on January 27, 2025. The air quality was classified as "very unhealthy," indicating a severe health risk for residents. This level of pollution has been common in the city in recent days, making it a serious environmental concern. The AQI index categorizes air quality into different levels based on the score: 50-100 is considered "moderate," 101-150 is "unhealthy for sensitive groups," 150-200 is "unhealthy," 201-300 is "very unhealthy," and anything above 301 is deemed "hazardous," posing significant health risks. Along with Dhaka, Pakistan's Lahore, India's Delhi, and Myanmar's Yangon also ranked high on the list, with AQI scores of 232, 203, and 185 respectively. The AQI measures the levels of five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone, helping to inform the public about air quality and potential health risks. Dhaka, which has long struggled with air pollution, tends to face worse air quality in the winter months, with some improvement during the monsoon season. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for an estimated seven million deaths annually worldwide, primarily due to its impact on stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infections.