According to a recent study, air pollution is fatal; it reduces human longevity by three years on average, more than the worldwide effect of smoking on a lifetime. There is no such thing as a safe level of pollution. Still, the World Health Organization (WHO) has established a target of 10 micrograms per cubic metre (g/m3) for fine particulate matter (also known as PM2.5 particles), which it claims reduces the risk of detrimental health impacts.
Pollution Data is provided by IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company specializing in protection against airborne pollutants, developing air quality monitoring and air cleaning products.
Countries With The Dirtiest Air 2021
1.Bangladesh: 77.1 µg/m3
According to IQAir, Bangladesh, has the dirtiest air in the world. In 2013, the country’s air quality index was 771.1 micrograms per cubic meter (gm3). To put that into perspective, WHO’s safe limit is only 25 micrograms per cubic meter. The high levels of pollution in Bangladesh are largely due to its location.
Situated on the Ganges Delta, the country is surrounded by water on three sides. This creates a perfect environment for stagnant air and pollutants to accumulate. The lack of wind also contributes to the smog over Dhaka and other major cities. In addition to the health risks posed by dirty air, it also has a significant economic impact.
2.Pakistan: 59 µg/m3
According to a report by IQAir, Pakistan has the 2nd dirtiest air in the world. The country’s air quality is ranked as “bad” and is responsible for nearly 8,000 premature deaths each year. The main sources of air pollution in Pakistan include vehicles, factories, and power plants. Smoke from fires used to clear farmland also contributes to the problem.
Pakistan has made some progress in recent years in improving air quality. In 2015, the government announced a plan to improve air quality by reducing emissions from automobiles and factories. However, more needs to be done to address the country’s air pollution problem.
3.India: 51.9 µg/m3
According to the pollution tends, India has the dirtiest air globally. The levels of particulate matter are so high that the country has a staggering 51.9 g/m3. This is twice as high as China (24.0 g/m3) and ten times higher than the United States (5.1 g/m3). The main sources of air pollution in India are vehicle emissions, coal-fired power plants, and waste burning.
The situation is particularly bad in Delhi, where the levels of particulate matter have been measured at over 900 micrograms per cubic meter – more than 30 times the safe limit prescribed by the World Health Organization.
4.Mongolia: 46.6 µg/m3
In the winter, few places have more toxic air than Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital, when pollution levels exceed 133 times those recommended by the World Health Organization. The World Health Organization released a report in 2018 that ranked countries by their air quality. Mongolia came in at number 4th with a 46.6 micrograms per cubic meter pollution rate.
These countries have some of the worst air quality globally, and it’s taking a toll on people’s health. In India, for example, 1.1 million people die each year from air pollution-related illnesses. Children are especially vulnerable to air pollution, as it can stunt their growth and cause lifelong health problems. So what can be done to improve air quality in these countries? One solution is to switch to renewable energy sources like solar and wind power.
5.Afghanistan: 46.5 µg/m3
Afghanistan has the dirtiest air in the world. A study by the IQAir found that Afghanistan has an annual mean PM2.5 concentration of 46.5 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3). This is more than twice as high as Pakistan’s next dirtiest country, which has an annual mean PM2.5 concentration of 22 μg/m3.
Afghanistan’s high levels of air pollution are largely due to its location in the middle of a desert. The country has few forests and little vegetation to act as a natural filter for pollutants. In addition, many of Afghanistan’s residents rely on burning coal and wood for heating and cooking, which contributes to the high levels of air pollution. Air pollution is a major health concern in Afghanistan.
6. Oman: 44.4 µg/m3
This year is Oman’s first appearance in the IQAir 2016 report on air pollution; Oman was ranked as the country with the dirtiest air. The report showed that an average of 44.4 micrograms of PM2.5 per cubic meter was found in Oman in 2013.
PM2.5 is a dangerous air pollutant that can cause heart disease, lung cancer, and other health problems.
The high levels of air pollution in Oman are due to the country’s reliance on oil and gas production and its location near busy shipping routes. Oman has made efforts to reduce its air pollution in recent years, but more needs to be done to protect the health of its citizens.
7. Qatar: 44.3 µg/m3
According to a new report from the IQAir World Air Quality Report, Qatar has the world’s dirtiest air. The tiny country on the Arabian Peninsula emitted 44.3 metric tons of carbon dioxide per square kilometre in 2016, more than any other country. This is large because Qatar is home to the world’s biggest exporter of liquefied natural gas. LNG production and export facilities require a lot of energy and produce significant greenhouse gases.
8.Kyrgyzstan: 43.5 µg/m3
They are classified as “Kyrgyzstan has the dirtiest air in the world. A study by IQAir found that the Central Asian country’s air is 43.5 times more polluted than the safe limit. The primary sources of pollution are vehicle emissions and coal-fired power plants.
The health effects of breathing polluted air are serious. They include respiratory problems, heart disease, and cancer. Children are especially vulnerable, as their developing lungs are more sensitive to pollutants.
The government of Kyrgyzstan has been aware of the problem for some time but has been slow to take action. However, in recent years, there have been some steps taken to improve air quality, including switching from coal to natural gas for power generation and investing in renewable energy sources.
9.Indonesia: 40.7 µg/m3
The Air Quality Life Index published research on the effects of air pollution in Indonesia in 2019, which ranked countries according to their air quality. The report, titled “Air Quality and Health,” evaluated the amount of particulate matter in the air and found that Indonesia had the dirtiest air of any country.
The report found that Indonesia’s average concentration of particulate matter was 40.7 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3). This is more than three times higher than the safe limit set by the WHO, which is ten µg/m3.
Other countries with high levels of particulate matter include India (36.1 µg/m3), China (35.5 µg/m3), and Pakistan (34.7 µg/m3).
10. Bosnia and Herzegovina: 40.6 µg/m3
According to a new report, the dense haze and pollution have the dirtiest air in Europe. The country’s average annual concentration of PM10 particles was 40.6 micrograms per cubic meter in 2016, far higher than the European Union’s limit of 25 micrograms.
The report, compiled by the European Environment Agency (EEA), also found that 17 out of 28 EU countries had cleaner air than Bosnia and Herzegovina. The average annual PM10 concentration in neighbouring Serbia was just 9.7 micrograms per cubic meter.
Air pollution is a significant problem in many parts of the world, causing an estimated 7 million premature deaths each year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 90 percent of these deaths are outdoor air pollution.
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