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
Thousands of flights cancelled as massive winter storm slams much of the US
A massive winter storm sweeping across the United States has triggered widespread travel disruptions, power outages and emergency measures, forcing the cancellation of thousands of flights and placing nearly half the country under weather warnings.
ADHD in childhood may haunt your health for decades, major study warns
People who show attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traits in childhood are more likely to experience physical health problems and health-related disability in midlife, according to a major new study led by researchers from the University of Liverpool and University College London (UCL).
Global water bankruptcy begins: Is the world running out of water faster than we think?
The world has moved beyond a water crisis and into a state of global water bankruptcy, says a new flagship report released on Tuesday by UN researchers.
From space marathons to ISS command: Suni Williams bids farewell to NASA
After nearly three decades of distinguished service, veteran NASA astronaut Sunita “Suni” Williams has retired from the US space agency, effective December 27, 2025, NASA announced.
Latest News
Who was Alex Jeffrey Pretti, the nurse killed during a federal immigration operation in Minneapolis?
Thousands of flights cancelled as massive winter storm slams much of the US
Sleeping Hindu man 'burnt alive' in Bangladesh garage, CCTV captures chilling attack
Forced HC Registrar not to purchase land: BJP Mandal president arrested in alleged land Mafia case in Agartala
