Meghan Hodges
Air pollution is a pressing issue that affects the health of billions worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for over 10% of all deaths globally, causing approximately 4.5 million premature deaths in 2019 alone. In 2022, IQAir, a Swiss technology company that tracks global air quality, found that only 13 out of 131 countries and regions met the WHO's recommended annual average of particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration in the air. The top five most polluted countries in the world are Pakistan, India, Tajikistan, Burkina Faso, and Iraq. However, in 2022, Pakistan led the list, and in 2023, Columbus, Ohio, was the most polluted major US city for the second year in a row.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Countries with the most air pollution | Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Tajikistan, Burkina Faso, Iraq, China, Indonesia |
| World Health Organization's recommended limit of particulate matter | 10 micrograms per cubic meter |
| Number of countries that met WHO's recommended limit in 2022 | 13 out of 131 |
| Worst polluted cities in the world | 83 cities in India, Begusarai, Guwahati, Assam, Delhi, Mullanpur, Lahore, New Delhi, Dhaka |
| Most polluted city in the US in 2023 | Columbus, Ohio |
| Territories with the least air pollution | Grenada, Bermuda, Puerto Rico |
| Effects of air pollution | More than 10% of all deaths worldwide (4.5 million premature deaths in 2019), impacts almost every organ and system in the body, damages vegetation, water and soil quality, local ecosystems, increases healthcare costs, reduces life expectancy, lost working days |
| Groups most susceptible to air pollution impacts | Lower socio-economic groups, older people, children, those with pre-existing health conditions |
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What You'll Learn
Countries exceeding WHO guidelines
Air pollution is a critical global issue, with 99% of people worldwide breathing unsafe air. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the recommended limit of particulate matter (PM2.5) is 10 micrograms per cubic meter. However, many countries exceed this guideline, posing significant health risks to their populations. Here is an overview of countries exceeding WHO guidelines:
Bangladesh
Bangladesh has consistently ranked as one of the most polluted countries globally. In 2021, it had an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 79.9 µg/m³, significantly higher than the WHO guideline. The country's pollution is attributed to various factors, including industrial emissions, vehicle emissions, and a lack of environmental infrastructure.
India
India is another country with severe air pollution issues. In 2023, Begusarai, a city in the state of Bihar, topped the list of the world's most polluted cities, with a PM2.5 concentration 23 times higher than the WHO guideline. Across India, an overwhelming majority of the population lives with air quality exceeding WHO guidelines. Indian cities like Guwahati, Assam, Delhi, and Mullanpur, Punjab, also feature prominently on the list of polluted cities.
Pakistan
Pakistan has also struggled with poor air quality, leading the ranking of the most polluted countries in 2022. The country's large population and lack of eco-friendly energy sources contribute to its high pollution levels. Lahore, one of Pakistan's major population centers, ranked 5th among the most polluted cities globally.
Central and South Asia
This region is of particular concern, with Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, and Tajikistan among the most polluted countries. South Asia, specifically, faces significant challenges, as 29 out of the 30 most polluted cities are located in India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh.
North America
While not a country, the region experienced a significant increase in air pollution due to wildfires in Canada from May to October. The city of Alberta was severely affected, with monthly average pollution levels nine times higher than the previous year. Additionally, US cities like Minneapolis and Detroit saw annual pollution averages rise by 30-50%.
Europe
European countries also face challenges in meeting WHO air quality guidelines. Central-eastern Europe and Italy reported the highest concentrations of particulate matter in 2021, largely due to the burning of solid fuels. While air pollution emissions have declined in the last two decades, resulting in better air quality, European industry continues to cause significant environmental and health damage.
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Air pollution in Asia
Air pollution is a pressing issue in Asia, with countries in the region experiencing some of the world's highest levels of air pollution globally. In 2023, nine countries in East and Southeast Asia were ranked among the world's 40 most polluted nations. These countries include China, Japan, Laos, the Republic of Korea, and Vietnam. The primary source of air pollution in these countries is the burning of fossil fuels for power generation, industry, and transport, as well as the burning of biomass for cooking, heating, and lighting.
The health consequences of air pollution are severe, with air pollution being responsible for more than 10% of all deaths worldwide, according to The Lancet. In Asia, the effects are particularly devastating, with Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania having the second-highest rate of premature deaths from particulate matter (PM2.5) in 2021, resulting in 2.3 million deaths in China, 221,600 in Indonesia, 101,600 in Myanmar, 99,700 in Vietnam, and 98,200 in the Philippines.
Particulate matter, especially PM2.5 and PM10, poses significant risks to human health. These microscopic particles, with diameters of 2.5 and 10 micrometers or smaller, can be inhaled and cause respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and even cancer. In addition to the health hazards, air pollution also impacts the region's economy, food and water security, and climate systems, hampering sustainable growth and poverty alleviation efforts.
To address the issue, organizations like the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) work with governments and stakeholders to develop and implement initiatives to reduce air pollution. The Asia-Pacific Clean Air Partnership, established in 2015, serves as a platform for policymakers and stakeholders to collaborate and share knowledge. Additionally, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition supports capacity building and the development of National Action Plans for nearly 20 countries in the region.
By investing in renewable energy, imposing stricter vehicle emission standards, and transitioning to electric cars, countries like Indonesia can significantly improve air quality and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Taking meaningful steps to reduce air pollution is crucial not only for saving lives and the economy but also for countering climate change.
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European industry's environmental impact
Air pollution is a significant issue in Europe, with far-reaching impacts on the environment, society, and the economy. The industrial sector, in particular, has been a major contributor to poor air quality, and its activities have resulted in substantial costs.
The European Industrial Emissions Portal reports that around 10,000 industrial facilities emit pollutants into the air, with power plants, refineries, and steelworks among the largest operators. The impact of these emissions is wide-ranging. Firstly, there are health consequences for Europeans, with air pollution contributing to asthma, heart disease, and stroke, and other health issues. According to the European Environment Agency, air pollution caused an estimated 239,000 premature deaths in Europe in 2022 alone.
Secondly, the environment suffers. Ecosystems, vegetation, water and soil quality, and local ecosystems are all damaged by pollutants. Heavy metals accumulate in ecosystems and are toxic to human health. Despite progress in reducing emissions of heavy metals, with lead emissions down by 44% and mercury by 53% since 1990, the issue persists.
The economic costs are also significant. The external costs of industrial air pollution in Europe were estimated to be between EUR 2.7 and EUR 4.3 trillion over the last decade, with an average of EUR 268 to EUR 428 billion per year. In 2021, these costs represented about 2% of the EU's GDP. The energy sector, particularly thermal power plants, accounted for almost 80% of the decrease in total external costs.
Despite these high costs, there are signs of improvement. The EU's industrial strategy, as part of the European Green Deal, aims for a climate-neutral, circular, and clean economy. The EU has also committed to the Zero Pollution ambition and toxic-free environment goals, with a target of a 55% reduction in fine particulate matter by 2030. Between 2005 and 2022, the number of deaths attributable to PM2.5 fell by 45%largest environmental health risk in Europe, and continued action is needed to address this issue.
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Air pollution in North America
Air pollution is a pressing issue in North America, particularly in the United States, which ranked 84th out of 106 countries for air pollution in 2020. The country grapples with a range of pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, methane, and ozone, which have detrimental effects on human health and the environment.
One of the most polluted regions in the US is California, with Los Angeles topping the list for the most contaminated air in the country. The unique geography of the Los Angeles area, a basin surrounded by mountains, traps pollutants, including emissions from diesel engines, ports, motor vehicles, and industries. This combination of topography and pollution sources results in poor air quality for the city's residents.
The State of the Air 2024 report by the American Lung Association revealed that 39% of Americans (approximately 131.2 million people) reside in areas with unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution. This issue disproportionately affects communities of colour, with Hispanics and African Americans experiencing higher exposure to pollutants and, consequently, higher rates of asthma. Yale University's study, 'Environmental Inequality in Exposures to Airborne Particulate Matter Components in the United States', found that Hispanics were exposed to 10 out of 14 pollutants, and African Americans to 13 out of 14, leading to significant health disparities.
Air pollution also intersects with socioeconomic status, with low-income to middle-class counties bearing the brunt of its health impacts. In these counties, respiratory problems account for 88% of premature deaths. Additionally, a Yale University study found that individuals living near hazardous industrial facilities and waste sites in the Bronx, New York, had a 66% likelihood of hospitalisation for asthma, underscoring the intersection of environmental and social factors in air pollution's health consequences.
The sources of air pollution in the United States are diverse and include vehicle emissions, industrial processes, mining, construction, and even household items like scented candles and air fresheners. While there have been some improvements, such as the decrease in nitrogen oxide levels between 2005–2007 and 2009–2011, air pollution remains a critical challenge, contributing to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and premature deaths.
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Health consequences of air pollution
Air pollution is a major threat to global health, causing more than 6.5 million deaths annually, a number that has increased over the past two decades. It is responsible for about 10% of all deaths worldwide, including nearly 4.5 million premature deaths in 2019, according to The Lancet. The health effects of air pollution are far-reaching, impacting nearly every organ and system in the human body.
One of the most significant ways air pollution affects human health is through the inhalation of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5). These microscopic particles are 30 times thinner than a human hair and can penetrate deep into the lung passageways, causing serious health problems. PM 2.5 accounts for most health effects due to air pollution in the United States and is considered a major contributor to mortality, according to research. Exposure to PM 2.5 from coal, in particular, has been associated with a mortality risk twice as high as that from other sources, due to its high content of sulfur dioxide, black carbon, and metals.
The health consequences of air pollution exposure include respiratory infections, heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. Those already ill, including children, the elderly, and people with low incomes, are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution. Children, for instance, breathe more rapidly and inhale more air relative to their size than adults, and they tend to spend more time outdoors, increasing their exposure to polluted air. Additionally, people with low incomes often live closer to pollution sources and have fewer resources to relocate or access quality healthcare.
Air pollution has also been linked to an increased risk of stillbirth, miscarriage, and neurological conditions such as cognitive impairment and dementia. It is the second leading cause of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally, after tobacco. In 2019, about 6.7 million deaths were caused by air pollution, with almost 85% attributable to NCDs such as ischemic heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and diabetes.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been actively working to address the health consequences of air pollution. They have set guidelines for the healthy limit of particulate matter pollution and developed the "WHO Strategic Approach for Air Quality, Energy Access, and Health" framework for 2023-2030 to strengthen their efforts to protect populations from the impacts of air pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
According to IQAir, which tracks air quality worldwide, the top five most polluted countries in the world are Pakistan, India, Tajikistan, Burkina Faso, and Iraq.
In 2021, Bangladesh was the world's most polluted country with 79.9 µg/m³.
Central and Eastern Europe and Italy reported the highest concentrations of particulate matter in 2021.
The world's least polluted areas are territories and islands with relatively small populations, such as Grenada, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico.
Air pollution is among the biggest health problems of modern industrial society and is responsible for more than 10% of all deaths worldwide (nearly 4.5 million premature deaths in 2019). It can affect nearly every organ and system in the body.
