Global Impact of Air Pollution: A Report on Asia's Most Polluted Cities

Last year, a new report revealed that nearly all of the 100 cities with the worst air pollution in the world were located in Asia. The climate crisis has been a major factor contributing to the poor air quality, putting the health of billions of people at risk globally.

Out of these cities, a staggering 83 were in India, surpassing the air quality standards set by the World Health Organization by more than 10 times. This information comes from a report by IQAir, a platform that monitors air quality levels across the globe.

The study focused on fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, which is the smallest but most harmful pollutant. Out of over 7,800 cities worldwide examined, only 9% had air quality that met the World Health Organization's standard. This standard states that the average annual levels of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 micrograms per cubic meter.

IQAir Global CEO Frank Hammes emphasized the widespread impact of air pollution on various aspects of our lives. In some of the most polluted countries, air pollution is estimated to reduce people's lifespan by three to six years. This not only shortens lives but also leads to many years of unnecessary suffering that could be prevented with better air quality.

When PM2.5 is breathed in, it can travel deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. This harmful particle comes from various sources such as the burning of fossil fuels, dust storms, and wildfires. Exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to asthma, heart and lung diseases, cancer, respiratory illnesses, and even cognitive issues in children.

In the northern Indian city of Begusarai, with a population of half a million in Bihar state, the air quality was the worst in the world last year. The average annual concentration of PM2.5 was 118.9, which is 23 times higher than the guidelines set by the World Health Organization. Following closely behind in the rankings by IQAir were other Indian cities like Guwahati in Assam, Delhi, and Mullanpur in Punjab.

In India, 96% of the population, which is 1.3 billion people, are living in areas where the air quality exceeds WHO guidelines by seven times, as stated in the report.

Last year, Central and South Asia were rated as the worst performing regions worldwide. This is due to the fact that all four of the most polluted countries - Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, and Tajikistan - are located in this region.

South Asia is a major area of concern when it comes to pollution, with 29 out of the 30 most polluted cities located in India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh. In the report, Lahore was ranked 5th, New Delhi 6th, and Dhaka 24th in terms of major population centers affected by pollution.

According to Hammes, there is little chance of seeing significant improvement in pollution levels in the region unless there are major changes made to the energy infrastructure and agricultural practices.

“What’s concerning in many areas worldwide is that the sources of outdoor air pollution can also contribute to indoor air pollution,” he explained. “For example, using unclean fuel for cooking can lead to indoor air quality that is much worse than what is found outside.”

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A global problem

IQAir discovered that in the past year, 92.5% of the 7,812 locations across 134 countries, regions, and territories had air quality that surpassed the PM2.5 guidelines set by the WHO.

Out of all the places analyzed, only 10 countries and territories were found to have air quality classified as "healthy". These locations are Finland, Estonia, Puerto Rico, Australia, New Zealand, Bermuda, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius, and French Polynesia.

Every year, millions of people around the world lose their lives due to health problems caused by air pollution. A study released in November by the BMJ revealed that 5.1 million individuals die annually from air pollution stemming from fossil fuels. Additionally, the World Health Organization reports that the combined impact of ambient and household air pollution leads to the deaths of 6.7 million people each year. This highlights the urgent need for measures to combat air pollution and protect public health.

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The burning of fossil fuels is causing a climate crisis, which is significantly impacting air pollution levels, according to the IQAir report.

Changes in weather patterns due to the climate crisis are resulting in alterations in wind and rainfall, affecting how pollutants are dispersed. The report warns that pollution will worsen as extreme heat becomes more intense and occurs more frequently.

The climate crisis is causing more severe wildfires and longer pollen seasons, which worsen health problems related to air pollution.

According to Hammes, there is a significant overlap between the factors contributing to the climate crisis and air pollution. Therefore, any efforts to reduce air pollution will have a positive impact on both improving climate emissions and vice versa.

Regional rankings

Last year, North America experienced devastating wildfires in Canada from May to October. According to a report, in May, air pollution levels in Alberta were nine times higher than in May 2022.

For the first time, Canada has topped the regional pollution rankings, surpassing the United States.

The wildfires also impacted cities in the US like Minneapolis and Detroit, with pollution levels rising by 30% to 50% compared to the previous year. Columbus, Ohio remained the most polluted major US city in 2023 for the second consecutive year. However, cities like Portland, Seattle, and Los Angeles saw significant decreases in their annual average pollution levels, according to the report.

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In Asia, however, pollution levels rebounded across much of the region.

China has successfully reversed a five-year trend of decreasing pollution levels, as reported. In the past, Chinese cities were notorious for having some of the worst air quality globally. However, thanks to a series of clean air policies implemented over the last decade, the situation has significantly improved.

A study conducted recently revealed that these efforts have led to an increase in the average lifespan of Chinese citizens by 2.2 years. Despite these positive changes, Beijing experienced a return of thick smog last year. The annual average PM2.5 concentration in the city rose by 14%, according to the IQAir report. Surprisingly, Hotan, China's most polluted city, was ranked at 14 in the IQAir ranking.

In Southeast Asia, the Philippines was the only country that experienced a decrease in annual pollution levels compared to the previous year, according to the report.

Indonesia was identified as the most polluted country in the region, with a 20% increase in pollution levels compared to 2022. Additionally, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand all had cities that exceeded WHO PM2.5 guidelines by more than 10 times, as reported.

Thai authorities recently instructed government employees to work from home because of high pollution levels in Bangkok and nearby areas. According to Reuters, Chiang Mai, a popular tourist destination, was named the most polluted city in the world last Friday. The city was covered in toxic smog from seasonal agricultural burning.

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Inequality… and one bright spot

The report pointed out a concerning issue - the lack of monitoring stations in countries in Africa, South America, and the Middle East, leading to a shortage of air quality data in these regions.

While there was an increase in the number of African countries included in this year's report compared to previous years, Africa still remains the most underrepresented continent. IQAir stated that only 24 out of 54 African countries had enough data from their monitoring stations.

Seven African countries were featured in the 2023 rankings, with Burkina Faso ranking as the world's fifth most polluted country and Rwanda coming in at 15th place.

Some countries that were highly polluted in the previous year did not make it to the 2023 list due to insufficient data. Among them is Chad, which held the title of the most polluted country in 2022.

Hammes pointed out that there is still a significant amount of air pollution that remains unseen on our planet.

However, there is a positive development in the form of growing efforts from communities, NGOs, companies, and scientists to actively monitor and improve air quality.

“Ultimately that’s great because it really shows governments that people do care,” Hammes said.

Editor's P/S:

The article paints a grim picture of the global air pollution crisis, with a staggering number of cities exceeding WHO guidelines. The impact on human health is profound, with millions of deaths attributed to air pollution annually. The burning of fossil fuels, the climate crisis, and inadequate air quality monitoring in certain regions are major contributing factors.

The disparities in air quality across regions are striking, with Asia, Central and South Asia emerging as the most polluted areas. The high levels of PM2.5, a harmful pollutant known to cause severe health problems, are particularly concerning. It is disheartening to note that some countries, despite making progress in reducing pollution, have seen a resurgence in air quality issues. The lack of sufficient monitoring stations in Africa, South America, and the Middle East also highlights the need for increased efforts to address this global problem. lack of monitoring stations in many developing regions hinders comprehensive data collection and effective policymaking. By addressing these challenges and fostering greater awareness about the impact of air pollution, we can work towards creating a healthier and more sustainable environment for all.