Bangladesh Ranked Second in Global Air Pollution: An Alarming Health Crisis

In 2024, Bangladesh was recorded as the world’s second most polluted country, with PM2.5 levels exceeding WHO guidelines by over 15 times. Dhaka ranked third among the most polluted capitals. Only seven countries met WHO standards, and significant data gaps hinder understanding of global air quality, particularly following the U.S. cessation of global monitoring. Air pollution remains a major health threat, contributing to millions of deaths and various health conditions.

According to a report released by Swiss air quality monitoring firm IQAir, Bangladesh ranked as the world’s second most polluted nation in 2024, with average smog levels surpassing World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines by over 15 times. The country recorded an average PM2.5 level of 78 µg/m³, trailing only behind Chad, which had an alarming 128 µg/m³, while Pakistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and India followed in the rankings.

In terms of capital cities, Dhaka emerged as the third most polluted capital globally, also with an average PM2.5 level of 78 µg/m³. New Delhi topped the list at 91.6 µg/m³, followed by N’Djamena in Chad (91.8 µg/m³), Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (58.2 µg/m³), and Islamabad in Pakistan (52.4 µg/m³). Data highlighted that, alarmingly, only seven countries achieved WHO air quality standards last year.

The released data indicates a growing concern with air quality management, especially after the U.S. halted its global air quality monitoring efforts, complicating the battle against smog. The only countries that met WHO guidelines were Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Estonia, and Iceland. Despite a 7% decrease in PM2.5 levels in India, it still harbored 12 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities.

IQAir’s analysis encompassed data from over 40,000 air quality monitoring stations across 138 locations worldwide. The WHO recommends that PM2.5 levels should not exceed 5 µg/m³; however, only 17% of cities achieved this standard last year. Significant gaps in data, particularly in Asia and Africa, hinder a comprehensive assessment of air quality.

Frank Hammes, the Global CEO of IQAir, remarked on the critical nature of air pollution, stating, “Air pollution remains a critical threat to both human health and environmental stability, yet vast populations remain unaware of their exposure levels.” The WHO estimates that 99% of the global population inhabits areas failing to meet air quality benchmarks, attributing 8.1 million deaths to air pollution in 2021 alone, highlighting its role as a severe public health threat, especially for vulnerable populations.

Exposure to PM2.5 is linked to various health issues, including respiratory diseases, cancers, and cardiovascular conditions. Especially concerning is the impact of high levels of pollution on pregnant women and young children, which can lead to developmental disorders and serious health complications.

In conclusion, Bangladesh’s air quality crisis underscores a pressing health challenge, as data from IQAir reveals alarming PM2.5 levels that exceed WHO standards significantly. With Dhaka ranking among the most polluted capitals, the cessation of U.S. air quality monitoring efforts exacerbates the situation. It is crucial to address the severe implications of air pollution on public health and ensure that more nations meet established air quality guidelines. This global concern necessitates concerted efforts to safeguard human health and the environment.

Original Source: asianews.network