Survey shows Pakistan's Lahore city is most polluted in world
Lahore: A report published by a Swiss air purifiers manufacturer on Tuesday showed that Pakistan's Lahore is the world's most polluted city.
In the annual survey conducted by IQAir, it has been found that Chad in central Africa is the most polluted country in the world.
A total of 118 (90%) out of 131 countries and regions exceeded the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline value of 5 µg/m3.
The survey showed the most polluted city in the U.S. was Coffeyville, Kansas.
"The most polluted major U.S. city was Columbus, Ohio," revealed the survey.
For this year’s report, data from more than 30,000 air quality monitoring stations across 7,323 locations in 131 countries, territories, and regions was analyzed by IQAir’s air quality scientists.
“In 2022, more than half of the world’s air quality data was generated by grassroots community efforts. When citizens get involved in air quality monitoring, we see a shift in awareness and the joint effort to improve air quality intensifies. We need governments to monitor air quality, but we cannot wait for them. Air quality monitoring by communities creates transparency and urgency. It leads to collaborative actions that improves air quality,” states Frank Hammes, Global CEO, IQAir.
“Too many people around the world don’t know that they are breathing polluted air. Air pollution monitors provide hard data that can inspire communities to demand change and hold polluters to account, but when monitoring is patchy or unequal, vulnerable communities can be left with no data to act on. Everyone deserves to have their health protected from air pollution,” states Aidan Farrow, Sr. Air Quality Scientist, Greenpeace International.
Interestingly, six countries met the WHO PM2.5 guideline (annual average of 5 µg/m3 or less): Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland and New Zealand.
The top five most polluted countries in 2022 were:
Chad (89.7 µg/m3) more than 17 times higher than the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline
Iraq (80.1 µg/m3) more than 16 times higher than the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline
Pakistan (70.9 µg/m3) more than 14 times higher than the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline
Bahrain (66.6 µg/m3) more than 13 times higher than the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline
Bangladesh (65.8 µg/m3) more than 13 times higher than the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline
IBNS
Senior Staff Reporter at Northeast Herald, covering news from Tripura and Northeast India.
Related Articles
Decade of slowing deforestation offers hope for forests: FAO data
Lush, green and brimming with trees and wildlife, forests are the Earth’s lungs and source of livelihoods for many communities.
Tamil Nadu on high alert as northeast monsoon intensifies, bringing heavy rains; cyclone risk looms over Bay of Bengal
Several districts across Tamil Nadu are on high alert as the northeast monsoon intensifies following its early onset, raising fears of a potential cyclone formation over the Bay of Bengal.
Despite 77.5% drop in stubble burning, Delhi’s air quality hits a five-year post-Diwali low
Despite a 77.5 percent drop in stubble burning. long seen as a primary cause of Delhi’s winter smog, the capital’s air quality collapsed to a five-year post-Diwali low on Tuesday morning, with PM2.5 levels averaging 488 micrograms per cubic metre, nearly 100 times the World Health Organization’s exposure limit.
Pakistani health department begins investigating two deaths as dengue cases spike
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department has launched an investigation into the deaths of two people in Mardan, reportedly caused by dengue fever, as the province’s total number of infections rose to 3,638 with 37 new cases reported on Sunday.
Latest News
IDF 'eliminates' Hezbollah’s Radwan Force Special Force commander in Al-Qlaiaah
Subansiri Hydropower Project begins wet commissioning, India’s largest hydro project nears power generation
Trump dances with traditional performers on arrival in Malaysia during Asia Tour
ASEAN admits East Timor as newest member, marks first expansion since 1990s
