In 2024, Bangladesh and Chad were identified as the world’s most polluted countries, with air quality levels significantly above WHO standards. The cessation of U.S. air quality monitoring could worsen data gaps, particularly in developing nations, complicating efforts to manage air pollution amid rising climate change impacts.
In 2024, Bangladesh was ranked as the most polluted country globally, with air quality levels over 15 times worse than World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, as reported by the Swiss air quality monitoring firm IQAir. It shared this unfortunate distinction with Chad, while other countries like India, Pakistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo also experienced severe air pollution issues.
Last year, only seven nations, including Australia, New Zealand, and a handful of Caribbean nations, met WHO air quality standards. Researchers highlighted the growing difficulty in combatting air pollution, particularly after the U.S. ceased its global monitoring programs, which had provided critical data for many developing countries.
The termination of the U.S. monitoring scheme has led to the loss of over 17 years of air quality data impacting several nations, especially in Africa. Christi Chester-Schroeder, IQAir’s air quality science manager, indicated the reliance on U.S. embassy monitoring in many regions, stating, “Most countries have a few other data sources, but it’s going to impact Africa significantly.”
Chad, previously ranked the most polluted in 2022, reported PM2.5 levels averaging 91.8 micrograms per cubic meter last year, indicating worsening air quality. The WHO’s safe level is a mere 5 mg/cu m. Conversely, India ranked fifth with a PM2.5 average of 50.6 mg/cu m, although it still contained twelve of the twenty most polluted cities globally.
The rise in pollution can be partially attributed to climate change, with higher temperatures exacerbating forest fires and contributing to air quality degradation. Experts like Christa Hasenkopf from the University of Chicago emphasized that at least 34 countries will experience diminished access to reliable pollution data following the U.S. program’s closure, which had previously improved local air quality and even extended life expectancy in monitored regions.
This development has been dubbed “a giant blow to air quality efforts worldwide,” emphasizing the critical role that data and monitoring play in tackling environmental health challenges.
The 2024 pollution rankings underscore a declining trend in air quality, particularly in Bangladesh and Chad, which were identified as the most polluted countries. The cessation of U.S. air quality monitoring has raised significant concerns about data availability in many regions, especially in Africa, which could exacerbate local pollution issues. Climate change remains a significant factor driving pollution levels higher, making effective intervention challenging without reliable data.
Original Source: bdnews24.com
