In the 2024 World Air Quality report, Chad and Bangladesh are identified as the most polluted countries, with Delhi, India, ranking as the most polluted capital. Only seven countries met WHO air quality guidelines. The report highlights significant air pollution challenges, particularly in the Global South, emphasizing the need for enhanced monitoring and regional cooperation to combat trans-boundary pollution.
The 2024 World Air Quality report, created by IQAir, identifies Chad and Bangladesh as the most polluted countries, with Delhi, India being the most polluted capital city. Only seven nations – Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Estonia, and Iceland – adhered to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) air quality standards. Despite a reported decline in PM2.5 levels across India, the nation still ranks fifth globally in pollution levels, trailing behind Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
An alarming 74 of the 100 most polluted cities are in India, although the country saw a slight improvement compared to the previous year, with the PM2.5 average decreasing to 50.6 micrograms/cubic meter, tenfold above the WHO safe limit. Globally, only 17% of the surveyed 9,000 cities met the WHO annual average standard of 5 micrograms per cubic meter. The report emphasizes that air pollution remains a significant challenge, particularly in the Global South, primarily affecting Asia and parts of Africa.
The recent cessation of air quality monitoring at U.S. embassies by the Trump administration is expected to adversely affect surveillance efforts in 80 countries, particularly in developing nations like Chad. Dr. Christi Chester Schroeder of IQAir noted that this decision might result in eight countries losing access to live air quality data, which has been vital for public health initiatives.
While India leads in establishing air quality monitoring infrastructure, the focus should extend beyond urban areas to include under-monitored rural regions to better capture the national pollution average. India must take a collaborative stance with neighboring countries, given that trans-boundary pollution significantly impacts air quality in South Asia.
Delhi’s PM2.5 levels increased by 6% between 2023 and 2024, marking a reversal from the national trend of improvement. Industrial emissions, vehicular pollutants, and seasonal agricultural burns are major contributors to the pollution crisis in Delhi. Italicizing India’s focus on the Indo-Gangetic Plain, the report calls for coordinated air pollution control efforts to mitigate health risks.
Notably, while cities in China have seen reduced pollution levels in thousands, Vietnam faces air pollution contributing to a loss of about 4% of its GDP, prompting government initiatives for sustainable practices and raising public awareness. In stark contrast, Hawaii boasts the cleanest air globally, with the lowest PM2.5 readings reported.
In summary, the 2024 World Air Quality report presents a grim overview of global pollution levels, particularly emphasizing the need for regional cooperation, enhanced monitoring systems, and multimodal strategies to address the trans-boundary nature of air pollution in South Asia and beyond.
The 2024 World Air Quality report reveals urgent global air pollution challenges, with Chad and Bangladesh leading in pollution levels. The report highlights the importance of enhanced air quality monitoring, regional cooperation in addressing shared pollution sources, and implementation of effective air quality control strategies. As demonstrated, while some nations strive to meet WHO standards, many others face significant obstacles, underscoring the complexity of the global air quality crisis.
Original Source: healthpolicy-watch.news
