In 2024, only seven countries met WHO air quality standards, with Chad and Bangladesh being the most polluted. The U.S. has halted its air quality monitoring program, significantly impacting data collection in developing nations. This has raised concerns about the increase in pollution and its health effects, particularly in regions dependent on accurate air quality data.
In 2024, only seven countries achieved the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality standards amid escalating smog issues, as highlighted by recent data. Chad and Bangladesh emerged as the most polluted nations, with smog levels exceeding WHO guidelines by over 15 times. According to the Swiss air quality firm IQAir, Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Estonia, and Iceland were the only nations meeting the air quality standards last year.
Researchers emphasize that the termination of the U.S. global air quality monitoring program exacerbates smog conditions, particularly affecting countries in Asia and Africa that relied on U.S. embassy sensors for accurate pollution tracking. The closure of this initiative, attributed to budget issues, resulted in the loss of over 17 years of air quality data, including measurements from Chad.
IQAir’s air quality science manager, Christi Chester-Schroeder, highlighted that most countries have limited data sources, which seriously affects Africa’s ability to monitor air quality effectively. Chad, although excluded from the current data due to a lack of reliable sources, was previously marked as the most polluted country, facing pollution from Sahara dust and agricultural burning, with PM2.5 levels at 91.8 mg/cu m last year, far above the recommended 5 mg/cu m.
India, ranked fifth in pollution, recorded a 7% decrease in PM2.5 levels to 50.6 mg/cu m but continues to host 12 of the top 20 most polluted cities. Byrnihat, in India’s northeast, notably surpassed others with an alarming average of 128 mg/cu m.
Climate change is further complicating pollution issues with rising temperatures intensifying forest fires. The U.S. program’s closure is expected to prevent 34 countries from accessing critical pollution data, hindering air quality initiatives globally, according to Christa Hasenkopf from the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute. The historical program previously enhanced air quality in monitored cities, thereby improving life expectancy and reducing environmental health risks for U.S. diplomats.
The impact of ending this program on air quality efforts is seen as a significant setback, particularly in regions heavily dependent on accurate pollution data for public health management.
Only a select few countries are meeting WHO air quality standards, highlighting a growing global pollution crisis exacerbated by the shutdown of U.S. monitoring programs. Developing nations, particularly in Africa and Asia, face substantial challenges in tracking air pollution, leading to increased public health risks. The loss of crucial historical data and monitoring capabilities underscores the urgency of revitalizing global air quality initiatives.
Original Source: www.firstpost.com
