Dubai Ranked 4th Most Polluted Major City in the World
Dubai, UAE – August 28, 2025: Dubai was ranked 4th globally in air pollution on Tuesday evening, according to the latest IQAir live ranking, as dust storms and urban emissions combined to push the city’s air quality index (AQI) to concerning levels.
At 10:20 pm local time, IQAir data classified Dubai’s AQI at 147, placing it in the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” category.
Top 10 Most Polluted Major Cities (August 27, 2025 – As per IQAir, Local Time 10:20)
| Rank | City | Country/Region | AQI (US) | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kinshasa | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 170 | Unhealthy |
| 2 | Delhi | India | 163 | Unhealthy |
| 3 | Manama | Bahrain | 155 | Unhealthy |
| 4 | Dubai | United Arab Emirates | 147 | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
| 5 | Kampala | Uganda | 134 | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
| 6 | Doha | Qatar | 127 | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
| 7 | Accra | Ghana | 120 | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
| 8 | Riyadh | Saudi Arabia | 119 | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
| 9 | Baghdad | Iraq | 115 | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
| 10 | Mumbai | India | 112 | Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups |
Why Dubai’s Air Quality Dropped
- Dust Storms: Desert winds carried fine particulate matter across the city.
- Urban Emissions: Road traffic and industrial output intensified pollution.
- Weather Conditions: Stagnant air trapped pollutants near the ground.
Health Advice for Residents
Officials caution that residents – particularly children, the elderly, and those with asthma or respiratory conditions should take preventive steps:
- Stay indoors when possible.
- Close windows and doors to block dust.
- Use air purifiers or HEPA filters indoors.
- Avoid strenuous exercise outdoors.
- Drink water frequently to reduce respiratory irritation.
