Dhaka, Dec 15 (UNB) - Dhaka, the overcrowded capital of Bangladesh, ranked third on the list of cities with the worst air quality, recording an AQI score of 283 at 8:35 am on Saturday.

The air was classified as 'very unhealthy' according to the air quality and pollution rankings.

Kuwait City of Kuwait, and Baghdad’s Iraq, occupied the first and second spots on the list, with AQI scores of 659 and 600, respectively.

An AQI between 151 and 200 is said to be ‘unhealthy’ while 201 and 300 is considered ‘very unhealthy’, and 301 to 400 is ranked 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents.

In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone.

Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon.

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections.

End/UNB/SIS