Dhaka air remains moderate as Kampala tops global pollution ranking

Air quality in Dhaka remained at a moderate level on Sunday morning (August 9), while Uganda’s capital Kampala topped the list of the world’s most polluted cities with air quality classified as unhealthy.

According to the latest reading from Swiss air-quality monitoring platform IQAir, Dhaka ranked 15th among the cities monitored globally at 9:12am, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 95.

An AQI reading between 51 and 100 is considered moderate or acceptable. A score of 101-150 is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, while 151-200 is classified as unhealthy. Readings of 201-300 are considered very unhealthy, and anything above 300 is deemed hazardous.

Dhaka’s air has remained within the moderate range for several consecutive days, according to IQAir data.

Kampala, meanwhile, was the most polluted city on the list at the time of the reading, with air quality reaching the unhealthy category.