Chad and Bangladesh are the most polluted countries of 2024, with Delhi as the most polluted capital. Only seven nations met WHO air quality standards, and substantial under-reporting exists in Africa. The air quality crisis in South Asia needs regional cooperation due to shared pollution sources, and while China has seen some progress, countries like Indonesia and Vietnam are grappling with significant challenges.
The 2024 World Air Quality report from IQAir highlights that Chad and Bangladesh are the most polluted countries, with Delhi, India as the most polluted capital. Only seven countries worldwide adhered to WHO air quality standards: Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Estonia, and Iceland. Despite India showing some progress, it still has a majority of the world’s polluted cities, with 74 in the top 100 list and a PM2.5 level far exceeding WHO guidelines.
The report indicates that only 17% of nearly 9,000 surveyed cities met WHO’s PM2.5 standard of 5 micrograms per cubic meter. Pollution monitoring in Africa is under-reported, worsened by US environmental policy shifts, which led to the closure of air quality monitoring stations globally. The report emphasizes region-specific air quality challenges, particularly in South Asia, where urban pollution significantly skews national averages in Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Notably, despite India’s high number of polluted cities, its extensive monitoring infrastructure accounts for a more comprehensive pollution average which is lower than that of its neighbors. The report stresses the need for a cooperative approach to air pollution across South Asia, given that pollution sources transcend national boundaries. This called for trans-boundary discussions to address common pollution sources shared between these countries.
Delhi was particularly highlighted, ranking as both the most polluted capital and second overall, with PM2.5 rising by 6% in the past year. The pollution in Northern India persists primarily due to industrial emissions, vehicular exhaust, and agricultural practices. The report pinpoints Byrnihat, Meghalaya as the most polluted area, underlining the disparity between the declining national average and rising pollution levels in Delhi.
In contrast, China saw improved air quality in many cities, with significant governmental efforts directed toward reducing PM2.5 levels. Meanwhile, Indonesia remains the most polluted in Southeast Asia, despite a 4% decrease in air pollution. Vietnam faces substantial economic impacts due to air pollution, leading to heightened public awareness and proactive measures to improve air quality. Hawaii, USA, recorded the cleanest air, showcasing the wide spectrum of air quality across the globe.
The 2024 World Air Quality report underscores the alarming air pollution levels, particularly in Chad and Bangladesh, while highlighting Delhi, India, as the world’s most polluted capital. Only seven countries meet WHO air quality standards, revealing crucial gaps in environmental monitoring, notably in Africa. It emphasizes the necessity of regional cooperation to address trans-boundary air pollution challenges in South Asia, as shared pollution sources demand collective strategies. Despite some countries like China showing improvement, the report calls for enhanced monitoring and actions to combat air pollution globally.
Original Source: healthpolicy-watch.news
