Air Pollution: The World's Most Polluted Countries

Air pollution is a pressing issue that affects nearly every organ and system in the body and is responsible for more than 10% of all deaths worldwide, causing approximately 4.5 million premature deaths in 2019, according to The Lancet. In 2023, only seven countries in the world met the healthy annual average for air quality levels. While the sources vary, countries such as Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Tajikistan, Burkina Faso, Vietnam, Nepal, and Canada have been listed as some of the most polluted countries in the world.

Bangladesh's air pollution crisis

Bangladesh has been facing an air pollution crisis, which has been detrimental to its population's physical and mental health. According to the World Bank's Bangladesh Country Environmental Analysis 2023, the exposure to environmental health risk factors is at critically high levels, with ambient and household air pollution causing over 159,000 premature deaths annually in the country.

In 2019, air pollution was the second-largest cause of deaths and disabilities in Bangladesh, accounting for about 78,145–88,229 deaths. The World Health Organization's (WHO) target for air pollution is 0-10 µg/m³, and Bangladesh's PM2.5 reading of 83.30 μg/m³ in 2019 was well above this threshold. Dhaka, the country's capital, was ranked as the second most polluted city in the world from 2018 to 2021. The annual average levels of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Dhaka range from 90 to 100 µg/m³, which is almost ten times the WHO guideline.

The main sources of air pollution in Bangladesh include the brickmaking industry, road vehicles, power generation, waste burning, and household activities. The country's reliance on biomass as a primary energy source for cooking and heating has significantly contributed to indoor pollution, affecting vulnerable groups such as children and women. Other contributors to air pollution in Bangladesh include emissions from vehicles, fumes from factories, and dust accumulation within cities.

The air pollution crisis in Bangladesh has severe health implications. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, increasing the risk of heart disease, lung cancer, and other fatal diseases. A one percent increase in exposure to PM2.5 above the WHO guidelines can result in a higher probability of experiencing breathing difficulties, wet coughs, and lower respiratory tract infections. Additionally, depression is more prevalent in locations with major construction and persistent traffic, with a one percent increase in PM2.5 exposure associated with a 20 percent higher likelihood of depression.

Addressing Bangladesh's air pollution crisis requires collaborative efforts and comprehensive policy reforms aimed at reducing emissions and improving air quality. The World Bank is assisting Bangladesh in reducing air pollution through analytical work and new investments. The country has also launched a real-time air quality index, supported by the National Committee on Air Pollution Control, to monitor air quality data and devise effective measures to mitigate the health impacts of air pollution.

Chad's air quality

Chad, a landlocked country in Central Africa, has some of the worst air quality in the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the country's air pollution levels were 17 times higher than the acceptable limit in 2024, making it dangerous to breathe. Chad's PM2.5 concentration was 89.7 in 2022, a significant increase from 75.9 in 2021.

Several factors contribute to Chad's poor air quality. Firstly, the country's reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation, with 90% of its electricity being generated from this source. This, along with the Bodele Depression, located south of the Sahara Desert, contributes to the high levels of airborne dust in the region. Additionally, desert dust, vehicle emissions, and biomass burning are also significant factors in Chad's air pollution crisis. The country's increasing reliance on biomass as a primary energy source for cooking and heating has raised indoor pollution levels, with dire health implications for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and pregnant women.

The consequences of poor air quality in Chad are severe. In 2017, an estimated 13,329 Chadians died due to air pollution, with over 7,000 of those deaths being young children with respiratory infections. Air pollution is the third-leading risk of death or disability in Chad, after sanitation and malnutrition. It is estimated that Chadians lose almost three years of life expectancy at birth due to air pollution. The pollution disproportionately affects those in poverty-stricken areas, as they live closer to factories and other pollution-causing sources and lack the means to protect themselves from the harmful air.

However, there are efforts underway to improve Chad's air quality. The country is promoting cleaner cooking fuel to reduce indoor air pollution and grid electrification. The National Poverty Reduction Strategy aims to make power generation more widespread and cost-efficient, and there is also a focus on exploring other energy sources such as solar and wind power. Chad is also collaborating with international organizations and implementing innovative policies to enhance air quality and secure a healthier future for its citizens.

Pakistan's fluctuating air quality

Pakistan's air quality has been described as "really suffocating" due to its fluctuating levels of air pollution. The country's air quality index (AQI) has been recorded at various levels, ranging from "moderate" to "poor", with the latter being the most recent reading. Pakistan's air quality is influenced by several factors, including vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and seasonal variations.

Pakistan's location in South Asia, bordering countries such as India, China, Iran, and Afghanistan, also contributes to its air pollution levels. Many of its neighbouring countries are economic giants with highly polluted cities, which can indirectly affect Pakistan's air quality. Additionally, Pakistan's own megacities generate vast amounts of smoke, haze, and deadly smog, causing a multitude of issues for its inhabitants.

Vehicle emissions are a significant contributor to Pakistan's air pollution. The country has limited vehicle emissions standards, and officials have acknowledged that 83% of Lahore's carbon emissions are from transport. During the COVID-19 lockdown, Pakistan experienced improved air quality due to reduced traffic and industrial activities. However, as the economy reopened, air pollution levels quickly returned to their previous poor state.

Industrial activities, such as the brick-making industry and kilns, also play a role in Pakistan's air pollution. The country's reliance on biomass as a primary energy source for cooking and heating contributes to indoor pollution, with dire health implications for its population, especially vulnerable groups such as children and women.

Seasonal variations, such as stubble burning during the winter months, can further exacerbate Pakistan's air pollution levels. Cold air trapped at ground level, unable to disperse, compounds the issue. Additionally, Pakistan's geographical location makes it susceptible to desert dust and dust storms, which can increase particulate matter in the air.

Pakistan's air quality has been monitored by various organisations, including IQAir, which provides real-time air pollution data. In 2019, Pakistan had a PM2.5 reading of 65.81 μg/m³, placing it in the ''unhealthy' category and ranking it as the second most polluted country in the world. The World Health Organization's (WHO) target for air pollution is 0-10 μg/m³, far below the levels frequently experienced in Pakistan.

India's air pollution

India is one of the world's most polluted countries, with 21 of the world's 30 cities with the worst air pollution. New Delhi has the poorest air quality among cities globally, with PM2.5 concentration levels nearly 10 times the World Health Organization's (WHO) target. The WHO's recommended limit is 10 micrograms per cubic meter, while New Delhi's PM2.5 concentration levels are at 95 µg/m³. India's air pollution is a significant problem that spans rural and urban areas, with the northern and eastern regions performing better than the south and west.

Among Indian states, Uttar Pradesh has shown remarkable progress in air pollution control, with urban PM2.5 levels reduced by 37.8% and rural levels by 38.1% between 2017 and 2022. In contrast, Maharashtra experienced only a marginal 7.7% decline in urban PM2.5 levels, and Gujarat achieved an 8.2% reduction in rural PM2.5 concentrations. While the central pollution control board in India has set an annual limit of 40 µg/m³ for PM2.5 levels, India's annual averages continue to exceed this limit.

The Indian government has taken initiatives to address the country's air pollution challenge. For example, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana scheme, launched in 2016, aims to provide clean cooking fuel to women in disadvantaged households. This initiative has helped reduce household air pollution generated by burning solid fuels such as wood, coal, and biomass for cooking, heating, and lighting. Despite these efforts, India's air pollution levels remain a persistent problem, with potential dire health implications for its population.

Air pollution is a critical issue in India, impacting not just the health of its citizens but also the economy. It is estimated that India loses $95 billion per year due to air pollution, and businesses face losses due to decreased productivity, higher absenteeism, and lower consumer spending. Improving air quality in India is crucial for protecting public health, boosting the economy, and promoting sustainable development.

Overall, India's air pollution challenge is complex and widespread, affecting both rural and urban areas. While some regions have shown progress in reducing PM2.5 levels, the country still has a long way to go to achieve safe air quality levels and mitigate the negative impacts of air pollution on health and the economy.

Iraq's air pollution

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the target for healthy air pollution levels is 0-10 µg/m³. However, in 2022, Iraq's PM2.5 concentration was 80.1, a significant increase from 39.6 in 2019. This rise is attributed to various factors, including industrial growth, traffic congestion, and frequent dust storms, exacerbated by ongoing conflicts that damage infrastructure and elevate dust levels. Baghdad, a densely populated urban centre, is particularly affected by pollution from traffic, industrial activities, and gas flaring practices in the oil sector.

While the current Air Quality Index (AQI) levels in Iraq are considered acceptable, certain pollutants may be harmful to sensitive individuals. Real-time AQI levels in Iraq have been fluctuating, ranging from 63 (Moderate) to 82 (Moderate) within a 24-hour period.

To address the air pollution crisis, Iraq faces the challenge of balancing industrial growth and development while implementing environmentally friendly initiatives. This includes exploring green alternatives, such as solar and wind energy, eco-friendly materials, and non-toxic products, to mitigate the environmental damage caused by air pollution.

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