Greta Jimenez
Air pollution is a pressing global issue, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting that 91.3% of the 138 countries and regions assessed exceeded their PM2.5 concentration guidelines in 2024. The most recent data reveals that Byrnihat, located on the border of Assam and Meghalaya, is the most polluted city in the world, with an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 128.2 μg/m³. This article will explore the factors contributing to Byrnihat's poor air quality and the potential health implications for its residents. It will also discuss the measures that can be taken to improve the city's air quality and protect the health and well-being of those living and working in the area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most polluted city in the world | New Delhi, India |
| Air Quality Index (AQI) concentration | 169 |
| Annual PM2.5 level | 108.3 µg/m³ |
| Annual PM2.5 concentration | 92.7 micrograms per cubic meter of air |
| WHO guideline exceedance | 13.2 times higher than the limit |
| Number of most polluted cities in India | 12 out of 15 |
| Number of most polluted places in India | 63 out of 100 |
| Annual air pollution deaths in India | More than 1 million |
| Annual air pollution deaths in China | 1.25 million |
| Top 10 most polluted cities in 2025 | Byrnihat, Karaganda, and others |
| Major causes of pollution | Fossil fuel use, vehicular emissions, industrial activities, agriculture, poor waste management |
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What You'll Learn
New Delhi, India: the world's most polluted city in 2025
New Delhi, India's capital, has been ranked as the world's most polluted capital city in the 6th Annual World Air Quality Report by Greenpeace India. This report highlights the drastic air quality issues faced by the city, with PM2.5 concentrations exceeding the World Health Organisation (WHO) annual guideline by more than 10 times. The high pollution levels in New Delhi pose significant health risks to the vast population, with an estimated 1.36 billion people living in the country.
The main causes of air pollution in New Delhi are vehicular emissions, which account for 40% of PM2.5 emissions, as well as industrial activities, the burning of fossil fuels for cooking, and the burning of waste and fields after harvest. These sources release harmful pollutants, emissions, and chemicals into the atmosphere, leading to respiratory illnesses and other adverse health effects. Additionally, New Delhi's air quality further deteriorates during the winter when unfavourable weather conditions, combined with local pollution sources, make the air even more hazardous.
Despite India's efforts to improve air quality through its National Clean Air Programme, which aims for a 30% reduction in air pollution levels by 2024, New Delhi continues to struggle with poor air quality. The city's air pollution crisis has attracted attention from environmental organisations and health authorities, with calls for urgent action to address the pressing environmental challenges and protect the health of its residents.
To combat air pollution in New Delhi, experts recommend a range of solutions, including the expansion of public transport, the introduction of renewable-energy-powered transportation options, and the enforcement of emission laws for industries and construction sites. Additionally, incentivising the use of cleaner fuels, such as LPG, and providing subsidies for families to transition from biomass fuels can help reduce outdoor air pollution.
As New Delhi grapples with the title of the world's most polluted city in 2025, it serves as a critical reminder of the urgent need to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy sources and implement sustainable practices to protect the health of its citizens and the environment.
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Dhaka, Bangladesh: high levels of PM2.5
Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is one of the most heavily polluted cities in the world, with high levels of PM2.5 particulate matter in its air. According to a 2015 survey by the Norwegian Institute for Air Research, industrial emissions, transportation, and fossil fuel combustion are the primary causes of Dhaka's toxic air. These three sectors together release 19,000 tons of PM2.5 into the air annually, with industries alone contributing 17,556 tons. The air pollution in Dhaka also exhibits seasonal variability, with significantly higher levels in the winter months (December to February) and lower levels during the monsoon season (June to September).
The effects of air pollution are far-reaching and detrimental. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution from the burning of coal, oil, and gas sources kills nearly 9 million people worldwide annually. The same data reveals that 99% of the global population currently resides in areas where the air quality surpasses the WHO guideline limits, resulting in the inhalation of elevated levels of pollutants. The consequences of air pollution extend beyond human health, impacting the environment as well. It contributes to phenomena such as acid rain, reduced crop yields, reproductive failure, and diseases in wildlife animals.
To address Dhaka's air pollution crisis, the government of Bangladesh has taken initiatives such as the Clean Air and Sustainable Environment (CASE) project, which involves installing Continuous Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAMS) in several cities, including Dhaka. Despite these efforts, Dhaka continues to struggle with toxic air, as evidenced by a 2025 report. The Bangladesh National Air Quality Management Plan 2024-2030, developed by relevant ministries, aims to meet the World Health Organization's (WHO) target for PM2.5 reduction. However, this management plan has faced challenges due to resource constraints.
The high levels of PM2.5 in Dhaka's air have severe implications for the health and well-being of its residents. Fine particulate matter, such as PM2.5, can penetrate deep into the respiratory system and even enter the bloodstream, leading to various health issues. The inhalation of PM2.5 has been linked to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. The toxic air in Dhaka poses a significant risk to the city's population, underscoring the urgency of implementing effective measures to reduce air pollution and protect public health.
While industrial emissions are a major contributor to PM2.5 pollution in Dhaka, according to the national report, households also play a significant role. This discrepancy highlights the complex nature of air pollution and the need for comprehensive studies that account for various sources of pollution, including gas and ozone pollution. Additionally, the seasonal variability of air quality in Dhaka, with higher pollution levels in winter and lower levels during the monsoon season, presents unique challenges for managing air quality throughout the year.
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China's progress: reducing particle pollution
Air pollution is a major public health issue in China, causing about two million deaths in the country each year, according to the World Health Organization. The rapid development of China over the past three decades has resulted in excessive emissions of greenhouse gases. Fine particles in polluted air can make their way into the lungs, causing diseases from lung cancer to stroke, asthma, bronchitis, and acute and chronic respiratory symptoms.
China has made significant progress in reducing air pollution in recent years. The amount of harmful particulates in the air fell by 40% from 2013 to 2020, and average PM2.5 concentrations fell by 33% from 2013 to 2017 in 74 cities. The overall pollution in China fell further by 10% between 2017 and 2018. In 2016, only 84 out of 338 prefecture-level cities attained the national standard for air quality, but by 2018, those 338 cities enjoyed good air quality on 79% of days. According to the Global Burden of Disease study, ambient PM2.5 pollution was responsible for approximately 1.4 million premature deaths in China in 2019. Thanks to the anti-pollution campaign launched in 2013, the average PM2.5 concentration dropped by 50%, from 72 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³) in 2013 to 36 μg/m³ in 2019.
China has also invested heavily in renewable energy sources. It is investing more in solar energy than any other nation, representing 45% of all global investments in solar. By 2024, it is expected that China will be generating twice as much power from solar as the US. China has also implemented vehicle emission standards, and moving towards cleaner energy sources can help reduce the impacts of burning coal and oil.
Despite this progress, it is premature to celebrate the end of China's war against pollution. Overall PM2.5 levels in China rebounded for the first time in 2023, and there is no indication that the government is reversing the increasing trend of other pollutants, such as ozone (O3). Prior to the pandemic, there had been a significant increase in O3 concentration in China, contributing to 90.1% of the rise in ozone-related mortality from 2013 to 2019. The average ozone concentration in monitored cities reached 145 μg/m³ in 2022, up by 5.8% from 2021. China's Director of the Department of Atmospheric Environment says the country aims to improve its forecasting and early warning systems and improve the coordinated management of airborne particles and ozone, effectively eliminating severe air pollution by the end of 2025.
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Causes of pollution: fossil fuels, vehicles, industry
While it is difficult to pinpoint the single most polluted city in the world, several cities are often mentioned in this context. These include Delhi, Lahore, and Dhaka, which are consistently ranked among the most polluted cities globally due to a combination of factors, including vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and the burning of fossil fuels.
Fossil fuels, vehicles, and industry are significant contributors to pollution, particularly air pollution, in cities worldwide.
The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, releases nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, leading to the formation of smog and acid rain. This contributes to both air and water pollution. Fossil fuel use in power generation, transportation, and energy production emits nitrogen pollution, affecting air and water quality. The transportation sector, including vehicles like cars, trucks, and buses, is a major contributor to nitrogen oxide emissions from fossil fuels.
Vehicles are a primary source of pollution in urban areas. Cars, buses, trucks, and construction vehicles produce significant amounts of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. While individual vehicles may have small emissions, the large number of vehicles on the road each day contributes substantially to air pollution. The EPA notes that the personal automobile is the single greatest polluter, even when compared to industrial sources.
Industrial activities also play a significant role in pollution. Refineries, mills, mines, and manufacturing plants emit a range of airborne pollutants, including PM2.5, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide, and hazardous air pollutants. These pollutants have detrimental effects on both air quality and human health, causing respiratory and cardiovascular issues, as well as contributing to smog and acid rain. Mining activities, in particular, release pollutants such as silica dust, coal dust, methane, and heavy metals, which can lead to serious health issues, including silicosis and black lung disease.
The interplay of these factors, combined with geographical and meteorological conditions, contributes to the severe pollution levels observed in many cities worldwide.
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Effects of pollution: health, environment, economy
Air pollution is the presence of harmful substances in the atmosphere, such as dust, fumes, gases, mist, odour, smoke, or vapour. These pollutants can have detrimental effects on human health, the environment, and the economy.
Health Effects
The health consequences of exposure to air pollution depend on the specific pollutants, their concentrations, and the duration of exposure. The primary pathway for these pollutants to enter the body is through the respiratory tract. Short-term exposure to high levels of particulate matter can cause reduced lung function, respiratory infections, and aggravated asthma. Long-term exposure increases the risk of non-communicable diseases, including stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancer. Children, the elderly, and pregnant women are especially vulnerable to the health effects of air pollution. Maternal exposure has been linked to adverse birth outcomes, such as low birth weight and pre-term births.
Environmental Effects
Air pollution also significantly impacts the natural environment. Pollutants like sulphur dioxide, ammonia, nitrogen oxides, and other reactive nitrogen compounds are toxic to sensitive plants and trees. When these pollutants are deposited onto habitats through dry or wet deposition, they damage ecosystems. Water bodies, such as rivers and lakes, are also affected by air pollution, which can lead to acidification and excess nutrient deposition.
Economic Effects
Air pollution has substantial economic implications. In India, for example, the costs associated with reduced productivity, work absences, and premature deaths due to air pollution amounted to an estimated $95 billion, or 3% of the country's GDP, in 2019. Similarly, air pollution causes approximately €600 billion in losses for the EU each year, equivalent to 4% of its annual GDP. However, addressing air pollution and improving air quality can boost economic growth. For instance, the EU has experienced economic gains of €50-60 billion annually since 2014 due to air pollution reduction efforts.
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Frequently asked questions
Byrnihat, situated on the border of Assam and Meghalaya in India, is the most polluted city in the world. It recorded a staggering annual average PM2.5 concentration of 128.2 μg/m³.
The 2024 World Air Quality Report by IQAir analysed data from 40,000 air quality monitoring stations across 8,954 locations in 138 countries, territories, and regions.
Delhi, India is the most polluted national capital globally for the sixth consecutive year, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 91.8 μg/m³.
