A new report shows that 83% of global cities fail to meet air quality guidelines, exposing most of the population to polluted air. Analyzed by IQAir, it identifies the dirtiest regions and emphasizes the need for better monitoring and regulation to improve public health.
A recent report reveals that a staggering 83% of cities worldwide do not meet air quality guidelines, indicating that most of the global population is exposed to polluted air. An analysis by Switzerland-based IQAir studied data from 40,000 monitoring stations across 138 countries, identifying Chad, Congo, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India as having the most contaminated air. Notably, India is home to six of the nine most polluted cities, with Byrnihat being the worst.
Significantly, the report suggests that actual pollution levels could be much higher due to inadequate monitoring, particularly in regions like Africa, where there is one monitoring station for every 3.7 million residents. To address this gap, the report noted the addition of 8,954 new monitoring locations and nearly 1,000 new devices this year to improve data accuracy.
However, a setback occurred when the U.S. State Department ceased the public release of air pollution data collected by its embassies and consulates. Chronic exposure to polluted air is linked to various health issues, including respiratory diseases, Alzheimer’s, and cancer. The World Health Organization attributes approximately 7 million deaths annually to air pollution.
Fatimah Ahamad, an expert at the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, emphasizes the urgent need for action, pointing out that 99% of the global population breathes air that fails to meet safe standards. “If you have bad air, you cannot tell people to pause breathing,” she stated, highlighting the critical importance of addressing air quality.
Cities such as Beijing, Seoul, and Rybnik have made strides in improving air quality by implementing stricter regulations on vehicles and industries. Additionally, investing in cleaner energy and public transportation has been effective. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has also made attempts to manage transboundary haze pollution from forest fires, promoting regional cooperation, despite limited success.
Shweta Narayan from the Global Climate and Health Alliance links air pollution to the climate crisis, arguing that reducing emissions from fossil fuels can enhance air quality. “Air pollution and climate crisis are two sides of the same coin,” she emphasized, suggesting that coordinated efforts can simultaneously tackle both issues.
The report highlights a dire global air quality situation, demonstrating that the vast majority of cities do not meet pollution standards, significantly affecting health and wellbeing. Increased monitoring and government action are essential in tackling this issue, as demonstrated by cities that have successfully improved their air quality. Acknowledging the intersection of air pollution and climate change is crucial for effective solutions.
Original Source: apnews.com
