Bangladesh and Chad Lead Global Pollution Rankings for 2024

In 2024, Chad and Bangladesh emerged as the most polluted nations, with smog levels surging beyond WHO guidelines. Only seven countries met air quality standards. Significant data gaps exist as the U.S. halted its monitoring program in developing nations, raising concerns about air quality assessments in Africa and Asia. Experts warned about the implications of losing reliable pollution data and the impact of climate change on air quality.

In 2024, Bangladesh and Chad were identified as the world’s most polluted countries, with average smog levels exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines by more than 15 times. Conversely, only seven countries including Australia, New Zealand, and Iceland successfully met these air quality standards, as reported by Swiss air quality monitoring firm IQAir.

A significant gap in air quality data exists in Asia and Africa, compounded by a reliance on air quality sensors stationed at U.S. embassies and consulates, a program that the U.S. State Department has recently disabled due to budget constraints. This cessation of support raises concerns about monitoring air quality across developing nations.

Christi Chester-Schroeder, IQAir’s air quality science manager, stated, “Most countries have a few other data sources, but it’s going to impact Africa significantly because these sensors often provide the only publicly available real-time air quality monitoring data.” Chad was not included in the IQAir 2023 list due to these data concerns, but it was recognized as the most polluted nation in 2022, suffering from factors such as Sahara dust and rampant crop burning.

In India, air quality showed slight improvement, with PM2.5 levels decreasing by 7% to 50.6 mg/cu m, placing it fifth in pollution rankings behind Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, local hotspots like Byrnihat in Meghalaya recorded alarming averages of 128 mg/cu m. Climate change exacerbates pollution, leading to intensified forest fires in Southeast Asia and South America.

Christa Hasenkopf, Director of the Clean Air Program at the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute, cautioned that the closure of the U.S. monitoring program would result in at least 34 countries losing reliable pollution data. The initiative previously led to enhanced air quality in various cities, extended life expectancy, and lowered risk allowances for U.S. diplomats. Hasenkopf remarked that the end of this program is “a giant blow to air quality efforts worldwide.”

In conclusion, the alarming pollution levels in Bangladesh and Chad highlight the critical need for improved global air quality monitoring, particularly in Asia and Africa. The termination of U.S. air quality monitoring initiatives poses a serious threat to data accessibility, exacerbating existing gaps in pollution tracking. The effects of climate change further complicate the issue, emphasizing the urgent need for action to mitigate pollution and ensure adequate monitoring in vulnerable regions.

Original Source: www.newsbytesapp.com