Helena Joyce
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Mumbai is more polluted than Beijing. In 2018, WHO ranked Mumbai as the fourth most polluted megacity in the world, with 9 in 10 people breathing bad air. In 2023, Mumbai was ranked as the second most polluted city among 109 places tracked by IQAir, a Swiss company that measures air quality in real time. Beijing took the top spot.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of data | 2nd May 2018 |
| Source of data | World Health Organisation (WHO) |
| Ranking of Delhi | World's most polluted city |
| Ranking of Mumbai | Fourth most polluted city |
| Ranking of Beijing | Fifth most polluted city |
| PM2.5 concentration in Mumbai | 14.7 times the WHO guideline |
| PM2.5 concentration in Delhi | 9.8 times the WHO guideline |
| AQI in Mumbai | 160 |
| AQI in Delhi | 135 |
| AQI in Beijing | N/A |
| Mumbai's air pollution level compared to Beijing | Nearly as bad |
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What You'll Learn
Mumbai ranks higher in pollution levels than Beijing
The high pollution levels in Mumbai are caused by a variety of factors. Construction activity, for example, accounts for about 30% of dust particles, while vehicular emissions and the open burning of garbage also contribute significantly to the city's poor air quality. In addition, being located in a tropical country, Mumbai and other Indian cities have a higher level of background pollutants, such as natural dust.
The Indian government has taken some steps to address the country's air pollution problem. In 2020, India switched to Bharat Stage VI vehicle emission norms, skipping an intermediate stage. The environment ministry also released its National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to tackle air pollution, which includes the formulation of air pollution action plans for 100 Indian cities that consistently fail to meet pollution standards. However, this programme has been criticised for lacking specific targets, time frames, reliable data, and adequate funding.
Despite these efforts, air pollution remains a significant issue in Mumbai and other Indian cities. In October 2023, Mumbai was ranked as the second most polluted city among 109 places tracked by IQAir, a Swiss technology company that measures air quality in real time. The concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Mumbai was 14.7 times the WHO guideline of five micrograms per cubic metre, resulting in an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 160, which is considered unhealthy.
The impact of air pollution on people's health is significant. According to a report by the University of Chicago, Indians lost 5.3 years of their lives due to particulate pollution, with premature deaths due to ambient particulate matter costing 8.4% of India's gross domestic product in 2019. It is clear that air pollution is a critical issue in India, and more urgent and effective measures are needed to improve the air quality in Mumbai and other affected cities.
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Delhi is the world's most polluted city
Delhi, the capital of India, has consistently been ranked as one of the most polluted cities in the world. In 2023, it was labelled the world's most polluted capital city by a Swiss-based air-quality monitoring group, IQAir. The city's air quality index (AQI) score reached 640, falling under the "hazardous" category. Delhi's poor air quality has been attributed to various factors, including industrial and vehicular emissions, crop stubble burning in neighbouring states, low wind speeds, and firecracker bursting during festivals. The high levels of pollution have led to respiratory issues, eye irritation, and adverse effects on the health of both humans and animals.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 90% of people worldwide are exposed to unhealthy air, which was linked to 7 million deaths in 2016. Among the cities with available PM2.5 data for 2016, Indian cities dominated the top spots. Delhi's air quality issues have resulted in the highest per-capita economic loss due to air pollution among Indian states, with a 5.4 times variation across all states. The welfare cost of premature deaths due to ambient particulate matter was a significant 8.4% of India's gross domestic product in 2019.
While Delhi has implemented measures to combat pollution, such as switching to Bharat Stage VI vehicle emission norms and the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), the effectiveness of these initiatives has been questioned. Activists have criticised the NCAP for lacking specific targets, timelines, reliable data, and adequate funding. The Indian government has also contested the count of air pollution-related deaths estimated by global agencies, arguing that they are based on estimations rather than primary data from the country.
In addition to Delhi, other Indian cities like Mumbai have also faced severe air pollution. Mumbai, India's financial capital, has experienced spikes in pollution levels, with the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) reaching 14.7 times the WHO guideline. However, it is important to note that the sources of pollution in Mumbai may differ from those in Delhi, and residential areas in Mumbai tend to have better air quality than busy roads.
The issue of air pollution in India extends beyond Delhi and Mumbai, with rapid industrialisation, weak enforcement of environmental laws, and poor industrial regulation contributing to the problem. India's average level of PM2.5, fine particulate matter harmful to human health, was recorded as 54.4 micrograms per cubic metre. As a result, Indians have lost an estimated 5.3 years of their lives due to particulate pollution, with serious health consequences, including cardiovascular diseases.
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90% of people globally breathe poor-quality air
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 90% of people globally breathe poor-quality air. This alarming statistic highlights the widespread issue of air pollution and its impact on public health.
In 2018, the WHO reported that Delhi was the world's most polluted city, with Mumbai ranked fourth, and Beijing fifth, among megacities with populations of 14 million or more. The air quality index (AQI) score categorizes scores above 301 as hazardous, and Mumbai's AQI was recorded at 160, 1.6 times the hazardous level. While Beijing ranked higher than Mumbai in terms of pollution levels in 2018, both cities have consistently faced issues with poor air quality.
The high levels of air pollution in Mumbai and Beijing are concerning for several reasons. Firstly, air pollution has significant impacts on human health. According to the WHO, approximately 7 million people die annually from exposure to fine particles in polluted air that penetrate deep into the lungs and the cardiovascular system. This leads to various diseases, including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infections. Secondly, air pollution knows no borders. It requires coordinated government action and international collaboration to implement sustainable solutions for transport, energy production, and waste management.
Despite the grim situation, there is a glimmer of hope. More countries are taking action to address air pollution. The WHO, in collaboration with other organizations, has launched initiatives like BreatheLife, a global communications campaign that challenges citizens to take individual action to reduce air pollution. Additionally, countries are transitioning to cleaner energy systems and implementing emission norms to mitigate the problem. While there is progress, it is essential to accelerate these efforts to achieve sustainable development and ensure a healthier future for people worldwide.
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India's dual burden of ambient and indoor air pollution
India is facing a dual burden of ambient and indoor air pollution, which poses a significant threat to the country's health and economy. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution causes about 7 million deaths worldwide each year, with India contributing a significant portion of these deaths. In 2019, air pollution was the largest environmental risk factor for health in India, causing an estimated 1.67 million deaths and economic losses of up to $36.8 billion.
Ambient air pollution in India is a pressing issue, with the country reporting some of the highest levels of air pollution globally. In 2016, ambient air pollution was responsible for an estimated 1,795,181 deaths in India due to stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases. The Global Burden of Disease Study of 2017 found that 76.8% of Indians are exposed to higher ambient particulate matter over 40 μg/m3, which exceeds the national guidelines on ambient air pollution. The sources of ambient air pollution in India include industry, transportation, coal power plants, and household solid fuel usage.
Indian cities consistently rank among the most polluted globally. In 2018, Delhi was named the world's most polluted city, with Mumbai and Beijing also featuring in the top five. More recently, in October 2023, Mumbai was ranked as the second most polluted city among 109 places tracked by IQAir, a Swiss technology company that measures air quality in real time. The concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Mumbai far exceeded the WHO guideline. Delhi, despite being ranked sixth, still recorded a PM2.5 level that was 9.8 times the guideline value.
In addition to ambient air pollution, indoor air pollution poses a significant burden in India. Solid biomass, such as fuel wood and biomass cakes, is commonly used for cooking and heating in Indian households, contributing to indoor air pollution. According to the WHO, indoor air pollution and carbon monoxide poisoning from biomass burning and the use of inefficient cooking stoves (chulha) cause approximately 300,000 to 400,000 deaths in India annually. Tobacco smoke is another major source of indoor air pollution in Indian homes.
The Indian government has implemented various initiatives to address the country's air pollution problem, including the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which aims to improve air quality across the country with a focus on non-attainment cities. India is also emphasizing the expansion of renewable energy, the promotion of electric vehicles, and the supply of LPG cooking fuel to households to reduce pollution from solid biomass burning.
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Mumbai's air pollution is comparable to Beijing's
Mumbai's air pollution levels are comparable to Beijing's, with the Indian city even surpassing the Chinese metropolis in terms of poor air quality, according to certain reports and specific periods. In May 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) ranked Mumbai as the fourth most polluted megacity worldwide, with 9 in 10 residents breathing bad air. During this period, Delhi took the top spot as the world's most polluted city, followed by Beijing, indicating that Mumbai's air pollution levels were indeed comparable to Beijing's at the time.
The high pollution levels in Mumbai are influenced by various factors. Construction activity contributes about 30% of dust particles, vehicular emissions play a significant role, and the open burning of garbage further exacerbates the problem. These issues have led to concerns about the health impacts on Mumbai's residents, as air pollution is linked to an increased risk of non-communicable diseases and other serious health issues.
Mumbai's air quality has continued to be a cause for concern in recent years. On October 23, 2023, Mumbai was ranked as the second most polluted city among 109 places tracked by IQAir, a Swiss technology company that measures air quality in real time. Mumbai's Air Quality Index (AQI) score was 160, falling within the "'unhealthy' category. The concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the city was 14.7 times the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline, further emphasizing the severity of the situation.
While Beijing and other Chinese cities have shown improvements in air quality due to targeted measures, Mumbai and other Indian cities continue to grapple with high pollution levels. Activists and experts have criticized the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in India as ineffective, citing the absence of specific targets, timelines, reliable data, and adequate funding. The lack of priority given to air pollution as an election issue by Indian citizens has also been noted, indicating a need for greater awareness and political will to address this pressing problem.
In summary, Mumbai's air pollution levels have indeed been comparable to, and at times worse than, Beijing's. The Indian city has consistently ranked among the most polluted megacities globally, and its residents are exposed to significant health risks due to poor air quality. While Beijing has shown improvements, Mumbai continues to struggle with high pollution levels, highlighting the urgent need for effective mitigation measures and increased public concern to address this critical issue.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Mumbai is more polluted than Beijing. In 2018, Mumbai was ranked as the fourth most polluted city in the world, while Beijing ranked fifth. More recently, in October 2023, Mumbai was the second most polluted city among 109 places tracked by IQAir, with Beijing taking the top spot.
The main sources of pollution in Mumbai are construction activity, which accounts for about 30% of dust particles, vehicular emissions, and the open burning of garbage.
The high levels of pollution in Mumbai have been linked to various health issues. According to the WHO, air pollution is responsible for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and has been estimated to cause 24% of all adult deaths from heart disease, 25% from stroke, 43% from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 29% from lung cancer.
