Meghan Hodges
Air pollution is a significant global health concern, causing millions of deaths annually worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of people globally live in areas exceeding recommended air quality levels, and air pollution is most prevalent in low- to middle-income countries. While China has historically been the world's worst polluter, recent reports indicate that Chad, an African country, is now the world's most polluted country. Six of the top ten polluted cities are in India, which is the world's most populous country. This article will explore the countries and cities with the worst air pollution and discuss the health and environmental impacts of air pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country with the most polluted cities in 2023 | Bangladesh |
| Average PM2.5 concentration in Bangladesh in 2023 | 80 µg/m³ |
| Most polluted capital city in the world in 2023 | New Delhi |
| Average PM2.5 concentration in New Delhi in 2023 | 92.7 µg/m³ |
| Country with the second most polluted cities in 2023 | India |
| Average PM2.5 concentration in India in 2023 | 54.4 µg/m³ |
| Most polluted city in the world in 2023 | Begusarai, India |
| Average PM2.5 concentration in Begusarai in 2023 | 119 µg/m³ |
| Country with the third most polluted cities in 2024-25 | Pakistan |
| Average PM2.5 concentration in Pakistan in 2024-25 | 73.7 µg/m³ |
| Country with the least polluted cities in 2024-25 | The Bahamas |
| Average PM2.5 concentration in The Bahamas in 2024-25 | 2.3 µg/m³ |
| Country with the least polluted cities in the Southern Hemisphere in 2024-25 | New Zealand |
| Average PM2.5 concentration in New Zealand in 2024-25 | 4.3 µg/m³ |
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What You'll Learn
India's air pollution
India is one of the world's most polluted countries, with New Delhi being the most polluted capital city in the world. Of the world's 30 cities with the worst air pollution, 17 are in India. The country's air quality is impacted by a range of factors, including industrial and vehicular emissions, construction dust and debris, thermal power plants, and the burning of crop residue and biomass.
The private sector also has a crucial role in combating air pollution. The Confederation of Indian Industry developed a Corporate Air Emissions Reporting Guide to help businesses manage and report their emissions. Initiatives like the TRUE study in Delhi and Gurugram have revealed that motor vehicles emit significantly more pollutants in real-world conditions than in lab tests, emphasizing the need for a transition to zero-emission vehicles.
Other innovative solutions are being explored, such as the Aerosol and Air Quality Research Facility, a collaboration between IIT Bombay and the McKelvey School of Engineering, which aims to study air pollution in India. Additionally, the Great Green Wall of Aravalli, a 1,600-kilometer-long ecological corridor, will connect the Aravalli range to the Shivalik hill range by planting 1.35 billion new native trees over a decade, contributing to pollution reduction.
While India grapples with severe air pollution, the country has a relatively low per capita emission of greenhouse gases. However, India is the third-largest producer of greenhouse gases overall, after China and the United States.
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China's war on pollution
The turning point in China's green transformation came in 2007 when the country surpassed the United States as the largest emitter of carbon dioxide globally. This crisis spurred China into action, recognizing the urgency of addressing its pollution problem. The country implemented various measures to combat pollution and mitigate its environmental impact.
One of the key strategies in China's war on pollution has been the promotion of renewable and clean energy sources. China has invested significantly in renewable energy technologies, such as wind, solar, and hydropower. It has also encouraged the development and use of electric vehicles, aiming to reduce emissions from road vehicles, which are a major source of PM2.5 pollutants. China has set ambitious targets for carbon emission reductions and renewable energy integration, signaling its commitment to sustainability.
In addition to renewable energy, China has also focused on afforestation and ecological restoration projects. The country has embarked on massive tree-planting campaigns to increase forest cover and combat soil erosion. Additionally, China has implemented strict regulations to control industrial emissions and improve air quality. The government has imposed stricter standards on factories and power plants, mandating the use of better pollution control technologies and enforcing penalties for non-compliance.
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California's poor air quality
California has some of the poorest air quality in the United States, with the San Joaquin Valley being a particular area of concern. The region is home to oil production, agriculture, and warehouses, which contribute to the poor air quality. The problem has been ongoing for decades and is made worse by the effects of climate change.
According to researchers from California State University, Fullerton, and Sonoma Technology, the poor air quality in the San Joaquin Valley leads to limited outdoor activities and the loss of work and school days, in addition to various health issues. It is estimated that the region could save up to $5.73 billion annually in health treatment and lost days of work and school by meeting federal air standards.
Air pollution is a significant health concern in California, with over 90% of Californians breathing unhealthy levels of air pollutants during some part of the year. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has identified about 200 pollutants as air toxics and works to reduce emissions. However, clean air activists argue that more needs to be done, as the influence of polluting industries in the region has hindered progress.
The impact of poor air quality is not limited to California but is a global issue. According to The Lancet, air pollution is responsible for more than 10% of all deaths worldwide, causing nearly 4.5 million premature deaths in 2019. Developing countries often struggle to meet global environmental standards, and indoor air pollution caused an additional two million premature deaths in 2019. In 2023, Bangladesh was reported to be the most polluted country, with an average PM2.5 concentration of nearly 80 micrograms per cubic meter of air.
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Chad's air pollution problem
Chad, a landlocked country in Central Africa, is one of the most polluted countries in the world. It is surrounded by Niger, Libya, Sudan, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Cameroon, and Nigeria. Chad's air quality is extremely poor, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting levels 17 times higher than the acceptable limit. This dangerous air quality has severe health implications for Chad's approximately 17.7 million citizens.
The main causes of Chad's poor air quality are indoor sources, such as stoves, and outdoor factors, including uncontrolled waste burning, the textile, oil, and meatpacking industries, and vehicle emissions. The country's electricity is predominantly generated from fossil fuels, with 90% of energy consumption coming from wood and charcoal, further exacerbating air pollution. The Bodele Depression, located south of the Sahara Desert, is a significant source of airborne dust, contributing to the region's poor air quality.
The health consequences of air pollution are dire, including respiratory infections, strokes, lung cancer, and heart disease. In 2017, approximately 13,329 Chadians died due to air pollution, with over 7,000 of those being young children with respiratory infections. Air pollution is the third-leading cause of death or disability in Chad, after sanitation and malnutrition. On average, Chadians lose almost three years of life expectancy at birth due to air pollution.
Despite the lack of effective government policies to combat pollution in the past, Chad is taking steps to improve its air quality. Initiatives include promoting cleaner cooking fuel to reduce indoor air pollution and implementing waste management practices in refugee camps. The National Poverty Reduction Strategy aims to improve power generation efficiency and explore renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. With these targeted environmental initiatives and cleaner energy solutions, Chad is on a positive trajectory to enhance air quality and public health, particularly for its most vulnerable citizens.
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Bangladesh and Pakistan's pollution levels
According to a ranking of the most polluted countries in the world in 2024, Bangladesh takes the number one spot, with Pakistan coming in second.
Bangladesh's capital city, Dhaka, is also one of the most polluted cities in the world, ranking 21st in 2019. Dhaka's high pollution levels can be attributed to the country's rapid urbanization, which has led to an increase in vehicles, larger demand for homes, and a boom in industries. The country's main sources of pollution include vehicular emissions, fumes from factories and brick kilns, and dust accumulation. In 2019, air pollution caused about 78,145–88,229 deaths in Bangladesh, with children under five years old being particularly vulnerable.
While Pakistan has shown some improvement in air quality in recent years, with a decrease in PM2.5 readings from 2018 to 2019, it still has highly polluted cities such as Lahore and Karachi. Lahore, once known as the city of gardens, now suffers from severe pollution caused by vehicles, with lockdown measures during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighting the impact of vehicular emissions on the city's air quality. Karachi, on the other hand, has seen an increase in pollution levels in recent years, with a PM2.5 reading of 40.2 μg/m³ in 2019, placing it in the "`unhealthy for sensitive groups" bracket. Other sources of pollution in Pakistan include stubble burning during winter and emissions from brick kilns, which are also a common source of pollution in Bangladesh.
Both Bangladesh and Pakistan face significant challenges in addressing their high levels of air pollution, which has led to negative health consequences for their populations. While there may be areas of natural beauty and clean air in these countries, particularly in rural areas, the pollution levels in their major cities are a cause for concern and require urgent action to improve air quality and protect public health.
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Frequently asked questions
Chad, a country in Central Africa, has been named the most polluted country in the world, according to the 2024 World Air Quality Report published by IQAir.
India has six of the world's top ten polluted cities, including New Delhi, Greater Noida, Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and Gurgaon.
California has the worst air pollution in North America. Ten of the fifteen most polluted cities in North America are in California.
Chad, located in Central Africa, is the most polluted country in the world excluding Asia. N'Djamena, its capital city, is the only city outside of Asia to feature on the list of the world's top 20 most polluted cities.
