100 Most Polluted Cities Globally: 83 in India, Raising Health Concerns in Asia

Asia's Struggle with Air Pollution

Last year, 99 out of the 100 most polluted cities globally were located in Asia, as reported by IQAir, a renowned air quality monitoring organization. The presence of 83 cities from India alone in this list is particularly concerning, showcasing the severe air pollution crisis in the region. According to the report, all 83 Indian cities exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines by more than tenfold. The primary culprit responsible for this worsening air quality is fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which poses significant health risks due to its ability to penetrate deeply into the lungs and bloodstream. PM2.5 originates from various sources, including fossil fuel combustion, dust storms, and wildfires, contributing to health issues such as asthma, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, cancer, and cognitive impairment in children. Topping the list of polluted cities globally is Begusarai, a city in India's Bihar state, with an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 118.9 micrograms per cubic meter, a staggering 23 times higher than the WHO guidelines. Other Indian cities follow closely in the rankings: Guwahati (Assam), Delhi, and Mullanpur (Punjab). The report further highlights that 1.3 billion people in India, constituting 96% of the population, reside in areas with air quality levels seven times higher than the WHO standards.

Global Implications and the Role of Climate Change

The air pollution crisis extends beyond Asia, affecting countries worldwide. IQAir's analysis reveals that 92.5% of the 7,812 locations across 134 countries and territories exceeded WHO's PM2.5 guidelines. Only a handful of countries, including Finland, Estonia, and New Zealand, achieved "healthy" air quality ratings. The human-induced climate crisis, primarily driven by the combustion of fossil fuels, plays a pivotal role in exacerbating air pollution. Climate change alters weather patterns and affects the dispersion of pollutants. Furthermore, extreme heat, wildfires, and longer pollen seasons resulting from climate change further aggravate health concerns linked to air pollution. According to a study published in the BMJ, air pollution from fossil fuels alone contributes to the premature deaths of 5.1 million individuals annually. The combined effects of ambient and household air pollution account for 6.7 million deaths each year, as estimated by WHO.

Regional Variations and Inequality in Monitoring

The IQAir report provides insights into regional variations in air pollution. North America, affected by widespread wildfires in Canada, witnessed a significant deterioration in air quality. Canada surpassed the United States in the regional pollution rankings, with US cities like Minneapolis and Detroit experiencing substantial increases in annual pollution levels. However, major US cities such as Portland, Seattle, and Los Angeles reported notable improvements in air quality. In Asia, China, which previously dominated the rankings of the world's most polluted cities, has made progress in improving air quality owing to stringent clean air policies. However, Beijing experienced a resurgence of smog last year, leading to a 14% rise in annual PM2.5 concentration. Hotan, another Chinese city, ranked 14th in the IQAir rankings as the most polluted city in the country. Southeast Asia presents a mixed picture, with the Philippines showing a decline in annual pollution levels while Indonesia faces an alarming 20% increase compared to 2022. Several cities in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand exceed WHO PM2.5 guidelines by more than tenfold. The report also highlights a glaring inequality in air quality monitoring, with a shortage of monitoring stations in Africa, South America, and the Middle East. This deficiency results in a lack of reliable air quality data in these regions. Although Africa has improved in terms of the number of countries included in the report, it remains underrepresented, with only 24 out of 54 countries providing sufficient data.

Conclusion

The 100 Most Polluted Cities Globally report serves as a stark reminder of the pressing need to address air pollution on a global scale. With Asia accounting for the vast majority of the most polluted cities, India's 83 cities exceeding WHO guidelines by a significant margin raise serious health concerns for its citizens. The role of climate change in worsening air quality cannot be overstated. As we continue to rely heavily on fossil fuels, the combined effects of air pollution and climate change pose severe threats to human health and well-being. It is imperative that governments, organizations, and individuals collaborate to transition to cleaner energy sources, implement stricter air quality regulations, and promote sustainable practices to mitigate the devastating consequences of air pollution.