Breathing clean air is becoming a luxury For millions of people around the world. The report on air quality 2024 drawn up by Iqaira Swiss company specialized in monitoring the air qualityhas revealed non -reassuring data: in many countries, air pollution has reached critical levels, with Fine particulate concentrations (PM2.5) which exceed the limits recommended by WHO (World Health Organization).
In this article we explore i 20 countries with the worst air qualitywe analyze the methodologies of the study, we discover which cities are most affected by this environmental crisis and global implications.
The data
The report evaluated the global state of air quality for the year 2024, collecting data from 8,954 cities in 138 countriesregions and territories. The information was obtained from over 40,000 air quality monitoring stations, managed by government agencies, research institutes, non -profit organizations, schools, universities, private companies and city scientists. The concentrations of PM2.5 were measured in micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³) and compared with the OMS annual guideline for the PM2.5 of 5.0 μg/m³.
A worrying picture: the results of the study
The results of the study are worrying:
The 20 most polluted countries
Below is the ranking of the 20 countries with the highest average annual PM2.5 concentrations in 2024:
The concentrations of PM2.5 in these countries far exceed the 5.0 µg/m³ WHO annual guideline, with the Chad that records values over 18 times higher than the recommended limit. Italy is 80th.
The most polluted cities: an Asian primacy
In addition to the ranking of countries, the report highlighted cities with the highest concentrations of PM2.5. The first nine most polluted cities in the world are found in the region of central and southern Asia, with India hosting you are of these. In particular, Byrnihatin India, It was the most polluted metropolitan area of 2024with an average annual concentration of PM2.5 of 128.2 µg/m³. Follow Delhi (India), Karaganda (Kazakistan), Mullanpur (India), Lahore (Pakistan), Faridabad (India), Dera Ismail Khan (Pakistan), N’Djamena (Chad), Loni (India), New Delhi (India).
In Europe, the 10 most polluted cities are in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia. The most polluted is Novi Pazar (Serbia), followed by Bijelo Polje (Montenegro), Pljevlja (Montenegro), Valjevo (Serbia) and Sarajevo (Bosnia Herzegovina).
Disparity in monitoring
The report highlighted significant disparities in the availability of data on air quality monitoring. In Africa, for example, There is only one monitoring station every 3.7 million peoplemaking it difficult to an accurate evaluation of air pollution on the continent. This lack of data limits the ability to implement effective policies to improve air quality in these regions.
Pollution: a danger to health
Exposure to PM2.5 helps to exacerbate various health conditions, including Astma, cancer, stroke and lung diseases. In addition, exposure to high levels of fine particulate particulates and early childhood is associated with congenital heart defects, eczema and allergic diseases, deficits and cognitive delays, neurological development disorders and mental health disorders.
The United Nations have declared that access to healthy air is a universal human right. However, the study data show that this right is still denied to most of the world population.
