In 2024, Bangladesh and Chad were the world’s most polluted countries, exceeding WHO air quality standards significantly. Only seven countries met the standards, while developing nations face data monitoring challenges due to the US State Department ending its air quality sensor program. This impacts global air quality efforts, particularly in Africa and India, where pollution levels remain high.
In 2024, Bangladesh and Chad were identified as the world’s most polluted countries, with average smog levels exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) standards by more than 15 times. Only seven nations met the WHO air quality guidelines: Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Estonia, and Iceland, according to a report from Swiss air quality monitoring firm IQAir.
Developing countries in Asia and Africa face considerable data gaps for air quality monitoring. These nations traditionally depended on air quality sensors located on US embassy and consulate buildings. However, the US State Department recently discontinued this program due to budget constraints, raising concerns over future monitoring efforts in these regions.
Christi Chester-Schroeder, IQAir’s air quality science manager, highlighted the severe impact on Africa, stating that many nations depend on these sensors as the only source of publicly available real-time air quality data. Chad, previously excluded from the IQAir 2023 report due to data issues, has struggled with pollution caused by Sahara dust and unregulated crop burning.
India’s air quality also presented challenges, with PM2.5 levels dropping by only 7% to 50.6 mg/cu m, ranking it fifth in pollution levels after Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Areas like Byrnihat in Meghalaya recorded alarming PM2.5 levels of 128 mg/cu m, exacerbated by climate change factors, including extended forest fires.
The closure of the US monitoring program has dire implications, particularly for 34 nations that will lose access to crucial pollution data. Christa Hasenkopf, Director of the Clean Air Program at the University of Chicago, noted the significant benefits the program provided, including improved air quality and increased life expectancy in monitored cities. Its termination represents a substantial setback for global air quality initiatives.
The air quality crisis in 2024 highlights significant pollution issues in Bangladesh and Chad while revealing broader monitoring challenges in developing countries. The termination of the US monitoring program exacerbates data gaps, particularly affecting nations in Africa. As countries like India struggle with ongoing pollution, the imperative for comprehensive air quality initiatives becomes increasingly crucial. Effective global air quality management relies on reliable data sources to combat rising pollution levels and their dire public health implications.
Original Source: www.newsbytesapp.com
