Only Seven Countries Meet WHO Air Quality Standards; India and Bangladesh Struggle

Only seven nations met WHO air quality standards in 2023, with Chad and Bangladesh being the most polluted. The U.S. cessation of a key monitoring program has raised concerns over data availability, particularly in developing countries. India continues to have a high number of polluted cities, while climate change intensifies pollution issues across the globe.

Recent reports reveal that only seven nations adhered to World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines in 2023. The countries that met the standards include Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Estonia, and Iceland. Conversely, Chad and Bangladesh were identified as the most polluted countries, with air pollution levels exceeding WHO recommendations by over fifteen times, according to data from Swiss firm IQAir.

A significant issue persists due to substantial data gaps particularly in Asia and Africa, affecting the global understanding of air quality. Many developing nations have traditionally relied on air quality data collected from U.S. embassy and consulate sensors. However, the U.S. State Department recently discontinued this program due to financial constraints, resulting in the removal of invaluable monitoring data.

Christi Chester-Schroeder, an air quality science manager at IQAir, expressed concern about the impacts on Africa, noting, “Most countries have a few other data sources, but it’s going to impact Africa significantly.” Chad, previously marked as the most polluted in 2022, continues to struggle with severe air quality, seeing PM2.5 levels at 91.8 micrograms per cubic meter—still far above the WHO’s recommended level of 5 mg/cu m.

India ranked fifth in smog levels, with average PM2.5 reductions noted; however, it still has the highest number of polluted cities. Byrnihat tops the list with an alarming PM2.5 measurement of 128 mg/cu m. Climate change exacerbates pollution, causing intensified and prolonged forest fires in different regions, as explained by Chester-Schroeder.

Christa Hasenkopf from the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute highlighted that the closure of the U.S. monitoring program will leave at least 34 countries without reliable pollution data. Despite its cost, the State Department’s air quality monitoring initiative had proven beneficial for the cities it served by improving air quality and public health outcomes. Hasenkopf stated, “(It) is a giant blow to air quality efforts worldwide.”

The fight against air pollution faces substantial challenges, particularly for developing nations affected by the U.S. monitoring program’s cessation. With only a few nations meeting WHO air quality standards and major pollution hotspots like Chad and Bangladesh, urgent action is necessitated. As climate change exacerbates these conditions, the ramifications for public health and environmental safety demand immediate global focus and resources.

Original Source: www.firstpost.com