Global Air Quality Report: 19 of 20 Most Polluted Cities in Asia

A report by IQAir lists the top 20 most polluted cities, with 19 located in Asia, primarily India. Byrnihat topped the list due to extreme PM2.5 levels. New Delhi remains the most polluted capital, while China shows slight improvements. The report stresses the significance of air quality monitoring and government intervention to address pollution issues globally.

The recent report by IQAir reveals that 19 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world are located in Asia, primarily India, which has seen rapid economic growth largely driven by coal. India houses 13 of these cities, with significant population density contributing to severe air quality issues. Notably, the lone city outside Asia included on this list is N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, identified as having the worst air pollution.

Among the cities in India, Byrnihat recorded a staggering PM2.5 concentration of 128.2 micrograms per cubic meter, significantly exceeding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended limit of 5 micrograms. Suman Momin, a resident, lamented, “It feels very sad and helpless that Byrnihat keeps topping the list.” The factories and construction activities are blamed for the toxic air, with residents acknowledging the visible impacts on their health, such as burning eyes and the necessity of wearing masks outdoors.

New Delhi continued its unfortunate legacy as the world’s most polluted capital, recording a PM2.5 level of 91.8 micrograms for the sixth year in a row. The report notes that while India has dropped from third to fifth position in overall pollution rankings, it still suffers from significant health impacts, with an estimated reduction in life expectancy by 5.2 years due to air pollution. Bangladesh and Pakistan also ranked as the second and third most polluted countries globally.

China, which previously held the top spots for poor air quality, is reported to have made marginal improvements, reducing its average PM2.5 concentration to 31 micrograms. This shift is attributed to aggressive measures against air pollution, including investments in renewable energy. However, concerns arose over reports of plans for substantial new coal plant capacity, countering improvements in air quality.

The report highlights that all 20 cities listed exceeded the WHO PM2.5 limits by over ten times, illustrating a pressing need for global awareness regarding air quality. The report emphasizes the lack of monitoring in certain regions, particularly in Southeast Asia and parts of the Middle East, where countries like Iran and Afghanistan were omitted due to insufficient data.

In North America, the cities suffering worst from pollution included Ontario, Bloomington, and Huntington Park, all situated in California, despite an overall reduction of PM2.5 levels in the US. The report underscores that only a small percentage of cities worldwide meet WHO air quality standards and calls for increased governmental efforts towards cleaner energy and strict emissions controls to combat the crisis.

In conclusion, the IQAir report highlights a troubling state of air quality, particularly in Asia, with India bearing the brunt of pollution levels. It emphasizes the impacts of urbanization and industrial growth on public health, as evidenced by alarming PM2.5 concentrations in several cities. The situation calls for comprehensive actions and heightened awareness to combat air pollution effectively.

Original Source: www.cnn.com