Asia’s Struggle with most Polluted city
Recent report reveals that Asia accounted for all but one of the 100 polluted cities with the worst air pollution last year, highlighting the significant impact of the climate crisis on air quality, endangering the health of billions worldwide.
The study, conducted by IQAir found that 83 of these cities were in India, with air pollution levels exceeding the World Health Organization’s guidelines by more than 10 times. Specifically focusing on fine particulate matter (PM2.5), the most hazardous pollutant, the report indicates that only 9% of over 7,800 cities globally met the WHO’s air quality standard, which recommends that average annual PM2.5 levels should not surpass 5 micrograms per cubic meter.
“In every aspect of our lives, we observe the pervasive impact of air pollution,” remarked Frank Hammes, CEO of IQAir Global. “In some of the most polluted nations, it’s estimated to diminish people’s lifespans by three to six years, leading to years of avoidable suffering if air quality improves.”
A Looming Health Emergency
PM2.5, when inhaled, penetrates deeply into lung tissue and can enter the bloodstream. Its sources include the burning of fossil fuels, dust storms, and wildfires, and it’s been associated with various health issues such as asthma, heart and lung diseases, cancer, and respiratory ailments, as well as cognitive impairment in children.
Begusarai, a city in Bihar state, Northern India, with a population of half a million, held the unfortunate title of the world’s most polluted city last year, boasting an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 118.9—23 times higher than WHO guidelines. Following closely in the IQAir rankings were Indian cities like Guwahati in Assam, Delhi, and Mullanpur in Punjab.
According to the report, in India alone, 1.3 billion people, which accounts for 96% of the population, are exposed to air quality that exceeds WHO guidelines by seven times.
Urgent Need for Systemic Changes
Central and South Asia emerged as the most problematic regions globally, housing all four of the most polluted countries last year: Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, and Tajikistan Of particular concern is South Asia, where 29 out of the 30 most polluted cities are located in India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh. Major population centers like Lahore ranked 5th, New Delhi 6th, and Dhaka 24th in the report.
Hammes emphasized that significant improvements in pollution levels in the region are unlikely without substantial changes in energy infrastructure and agricultural practices.
He also highlighted another concern: “What’s troubling is that the same factors contributing to outdoor air pollution often contribute to indoor air pollution as well. For instance, cooking with unclean fuel can lead to indoor exposures that far exceed outdoor levels.”
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