In 2024, Bangladesh was classified as the world’s second most polluted country, with PM2.5 levels of 78 µg/m³, significantly above WHO standards. Dhaka ranked as the third most polluted capital. Only seven countries met WHO air quality requirements, and substantial data gaps hinder pollution tracking. Air pollution is a leading cause of death globally, impacting millions of lives.
In 2024, Bangladesh ranked as the world’s second most polluted country, with average smog levels far exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines by over 15 times. The average PM2.5 concentration was recorded at 78 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³), trailing only Chad, which reported an alarming 128 µg/m³. Other countries experiencing severe pollution included Pakistan (73.7 µg/m³), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (58.2 µg/m³), and India (50.6 µg/m³).
The capital city Dhaka was documented as the third most polluted capital globally, sharing the same average PM2.5 levels of 78 µg/m³. New Delhi was the most polluted capital (91.6 µg/m³), with N’Djamena (91.8 µg/m³) of Chad in a close second. Kinshasa from the Democratic Republic of the Congo ranked fourth at 58.2 µg/m³, while Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, came fifth at 52.4 µg/m³.
Only seven countries managed to meet WHO air quality standards in 2024, as reported by IQAir. These included Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Estonia, and Iceland. Challenges in addressing smog levels are deemed to escalate, particularly after the U.S. ceased its global air quality monitoring due to budget constraints.
In India, despite achieving a 7% reduction in average PM2.5 levels to 50.6 µg/m³, the country still contained 12 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities, with Byrnihat being the most polluted city at 128 µg/m³. The report analyzed data from over 40,000 air quality monitoring stations across 138 regions worldwide, indicating that only 17% of cities met WHO’s recommended PM2.5 threshold of 5 µg/m³.
Widespread data gaps in Asia and Africa continue to obscure the global air quality landscape. Developing nations had relied heavily on air quality observations from U.S. facilities, which have now been interrupted, resulting in a significant loss of data. Frank Hammes, CEO of IQAir, articulated the urgency of the situation, noting the critical need for awareness around air pollution levels.
According to WHO’s findings, a staggering 99% of individuals globally reside in areas failing to meet acceptable air quality standards. Air pollution ranks as the second leading global risk for mortality figures, particularly impacting children under five. In 2021, PM2.5 exposure was responsible for 8.1 million deaths, with a majority linked to ambient PM2.5 pollution, underlining its severe association with health issues such as asthma and cognitive disorders.
Bangladesh’s alarming air quality ranks it as the second most polluted country worldwide, with significant health implications for its populace. This report highlights the urgent need for effective pollution control protocols, increased monitoring efforts particularly in under-resourced regions, and global partnerships to ensure the right to clean air is upheld. Immediate global action is crucial in addressing air pollution, which remains a critical danger to both human health and environmental sustainability.
Original Source: asianews.network
