The world's 100 worst polluted cities are in Asia — and 83 of them are in just one country | CNN
Worst air pollution in 2023 concentrated in Asian cities, especially in India, exceeding WHO guidelines by over 10 times due to PM2.5.
- Bilawal Riaz
- 1 min read
A recent report by IQAir revealed that nearly all of the 100 cities with the worst air pollution in 2023 were located in Asia, primarily in India. These cities exceeded the World Health Organization’s air quality guidelines by over 10 times, mainly due to fine particulate matter known as PM2.5. The report highlighted the severe health risks associated with air pollution, such as respiratory illnesses and decreased life expectancy. Factors like the burning of fossil fuels and wildfires contribute to air pollution, with climate change exacerbating these issues. While some regions like North America saw improvements, pollution levels in Asia, especially in India and Southeast Asia, increased. China, which had made progress in air quality, experienced a reversal in declining pollution levels. The report also pointed out the lack of air quality monitoring in regions like Africa, South America, and the Middle East. Despite these challenges, there is growing pressure from various sectors to address air pollution concerns on a global scale.