According to the recently released IQAir World Air Quality Report 2024, India ranks fifth among the world's most polluted countries. Chad in Africa tops the list, followed by Bangladesh and Pakistan in second and third place, respectively.
New Delhi: A new report reveals India's ranking as the fifth most polluted country globally. This information comes from the IQAir report, which also states that only 17% of cities worldwide meet World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines, highlighting a critical pollution situation.
Chad leads the list as the most polluted country, with Bangladesh and Pakistan following in second and third place. The rising air pollution is causing a surge in health problems, increasing the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
India's Most Polluted Area – Barnahat, Assam
Assam's Barnahat registered the highest air pollution levels in India, with an annual PM2.5 level reaching 128.2 µg/m³. This significantly exceeds the WHO standard of 5 µg/m³. The report further reveals that six of the world's nine most polluted cities are located in India, intensifying concerns about the nation's air quality.
World's Most Polluted Countries
1. Chad - (91.8 µg/m3) More than 18 times the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline
2. Bangladesh - (78.0 µg/m3) More than 15 times the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline
3. Pakistan - (73.7 µg/m3) More than 14 times the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline
4. Democratic Republic of Congo - (58.2 µg/m3) More than 11 times the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline
5. India - (50.6 µg/m3) More than 10 times the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline
The Situation in the US and Other Countries
The report identifies Los Angeles as the most polluted major city in the United States, while Seattle is ranked among the cleanest. Canada and most European cities showed relatively lower PM2.5 levels. The Oceania region (Australia, New Zealand, and surrounding islands) exhibited the lowest air pollution globally, with 57% of its cities meeting WHO standards. In contrast, South and Southeast Asia continue to grapple with high pollution levels.
The report urges India and other highly polluted countries to take immediate action. Experts suggest that clean energy adoption, vehicle emission control, and the utilization of green technologies can offer solutions. Governments need to implement stringent policies and make serious efforts to mitigate pollution.
