There is a good reason to worry about the Air Quality in Dhaka, as Bangladesh ranks 169th (out of 178 countries) at the Environmental Performance Index for Air Quality (2014 score).
Furthermore, according to the most recent World Health Organization data, the air quality in Dhaka reaches an yearly average of 90 µg/m3 of PM2.5, which corresponds to a 168 - Unhealthy Air Quality Index. Obviously, 168 - Unhealthy is just a yearly average, and the air pollution can reach much higher 300+ hazardous levels.
For more information, you can refer to this article about making bricks for Dhaka’s construction boom, which provides a very good insight about Dhaka's Air Pollution situation
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Note that Air Quality Data for Dhaka is available since March 2016:
Back in 2009, the World Bank started a 7 years investement of US$ 62.20 million in the Clean Air and Sustainable Environment project (CASE) program. The objective was, among others, to get 11 Continuous Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAMS) installed in 8 cities to monitor major air pollutants and to generate real time air quality data including air quality index for major cities.
This was confirmed by this news from UNB which said that "A modern Air Quality Research and Monitoring Center (AQRMC) has been established at the center for Advanced Research in Sciences (CARS) of Dhaka University (DU)".
But yet, despite the good news from the World Bank, the Air Quality readings are not officially available, and the Air Quality Research and Monitoring Center (aqmcdu.edu.bd) is not giving much details... The website from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (পরিবেশ ও বন মন্ত্রণালয়-) moef.gov.bd is similarly not providing more information. As concerns the worldbank CASE project report, it is surprisingly laconic, despite having used more than $10 millions USD on the "Environment" sub-project[1].
Crowdsourcing a real Air monitoring Network that works
For this reason, we are now investigating with several Institutions, Universities, Schools as well as individual citizens living in Dhaka the possibility to setup an alternative and crowd-sourced Air Quality monitoring network, which would allow to broadcast free hourly AQI information for several locations in Dhaka, and later in other cities in Bangladesh.
The monitoring stations used for this network are the semi-professional GAIA A12 Air Quality monitoring stations. The Gaia A12 is much more affordable than the traditional monitoring station ($200 for the GAIA A12 while it is $10,000+ for the traditional ones), but yet with a data quality as good and reliable as the traditional stations.
If you are interested in knowing more about the project, about helping to host a station, or just about getting and rebroadcasting the real-time Air quality data, then please contact us with the form at the bottom of this page.
Air Quality Forecast
Air quality historical data
Lab
BEUT
Noyabad_Mosque
Gulshan-2 | Rob Bhaban
Maldhahpatty
Dhaka
BUET
Rangpur
92 Mosjid Road Banani DOHS
UAlbany-HSTU-BUET (Pulhat, Dinajpur)
BUET
BUET
BUET
BUET
MTI
Mohammadpur
PA_22
dhanmondi 28 old
Paharpur
BUET
akon sadbin (outdoor)
Shajahanpur, Outside
UAlbany-HSTU-BUET (Gopalgonj, Dinajpur)
PA_21
UAlbany-HSTU-BUET (Kawgaon)
Dhonia outside
Narayanganj
Gautam Saha(out)
BEUT
PA_28
Dhaka Banani
Keranigonj (PM)
UAlbany-HSTU-BUET (HSTU_Chemistry)
PA_29
BUET
BUET
BUET
BUET
Adorshopolli,Saidpur
Touhid2
South Banasree, Dhaka outdoor
UAlbany_HSTU_BUET (Professor's Apartment)
UAlbany-HSTU-BUET (Maldhapatty)
BUET
Dhanmondi 28 old outdoor
PA_24
BUET
BUET
...
If you want to stay informed about the Air Quality monitoring project, please register with the form below:
Measure the air quality in your neighborhood
Participate with your own air quality monitoring station
The GAIA air quality monitor uses laser particle sensors to measure in real-time PM2.5 and PM10 particle pollution, which is one of the most harmful air pollutants.
It is very easy to set up: It only requires a WIFI access point and a USB compatible power supply. Once connected, your real time air pollution levels are instantaneously available in on our maps.
The station comes together with 10-meter water-proof power cables, a power supply, mounting equipment and an optional solar panel.
Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk
None
51 -100
Moderate
Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
101-150
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
151-200
Unhealthy
Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion
201-300
Very Unhealthy
Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.
Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid all outdoor exertion; everyone else, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion.
300+
Hazardous
Health alert: everyone may experience more serious health effects
For very useful health advices of Beijing Doctor Richard Saint Cyr MD, check www.myhealthbeijing.com blog.
Usage Notice: All the Air Quality data are unvalidated at the time of publication, and due to quality assurance these data may be amended, without notice, at any time. The World Air Quality Index project has exercised all reasonable skill and care in compiling the contents of this information and under no circumstances will the World Air Quality Index project team or its agents be liable in contract, tort or otherwise for any loss, injury or damage arising directly or indirectly from the supply of this data.