- What WHO says about Air Quality?
- How did India and other countries, city rank as per 2023 report?
- Change observed in 2022 and 2023
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, air pollution is responsible for approximately seven million premature deaths each year, primarily affecting individuals with health conditions such as asthma, cancer, and heart diseases like stroke. Exposure to high levels of PM2.5 has been linked to cognitive impairments in children, exacerbation of existing conditions, and negative impacts on mental health. It is estimated to account for one in every nine deaths globally. The latest annual report has cast further gloom on citizens’ hopes, as despite several government measures, collective efforts, and initiatives from new startups and environmentally-conscious companies, there has been no improvement in air quality; in fact, it appears to be deteriorating.
As per WHO, safe PM2.5 levels is 5 micrograms per cubic metre as provided in 2021 guidelines. The World Air Quality Report 2023 by the Swiss organization IQAir revealed that India ranked as the world’s 3rd most polluted country out of 134 countries in 2023, just behind Bangladesh and Pakistan, with an average PM2.5 level of 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter, up from 53.3 the previous year. In 2022, the country held the 8th position, indicating a worsening air quality trend in 2023.
Only seven countries Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius and New Zealand, in the world, are meeting WHO prescribed limit as per the report. Bangladesh maintained its status as the most polluted country globally, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 79.9 micrograms per cubic meter, followed by Pakistan in 2nd place with a PM2.5 score of 73.7.
Delhi retained its title as the most polluted capital city in the world for the fourth consecutive year, with a PM2.5 score of 92.7 in 2023, up from 89.1 in 2022. Begusarai, Bihar, emerged as the most polluted metropolitan area globally, with an average PM2.5 score of 118.9, a city that was not previously ranked in 2023.
The 2022 report revealed that roughly 60 percent of cities in India recorded annual PM2.5 levels at least seven times higher than WHO guidelines. The report included data from 7,323 locations in 131 countries, regions, and territories. In 2023, these figures increased to 7,812 locations across 134 countries, regions, and territories.
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