Top most highly polluted cities in the world

By -

The world's most polluted cities are concentrated in South Asia, particularly in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, followed by China. These cities face extremely high levels of PM2.5 particulate pollution, often exceeding safe limits defined by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Key Insights:

  1. India Dominates Pollution Rankings: Among the top 100 polluted cities globally, 39 are in India. Key cities like Delhi, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahr, and Noida frequently experience PM2.5 levels far beyond acceptable limits. Delhi, for instance, often records an Air Quality Index (AQI) above 500 during winters.

  2. Neighboring Countries: Pakistan and Bangladesh also face severe air pollution, with Lahore (Pakistan) frequently topping the global charts for the worst air quality.

  3. China’s Progress: While China is second in the number of polluted cities (30 out of 100), its efforts to mitigate pollution, including policies on renewable energy and urban planning, have led to a significant improvement in its rankings over the years.

  4. Global Problem: Beyond South Asia and China, other cities with concerning pollution levels include Dakar (Senegal), Kabul (Afghanistan), and Jakarta (Indonesia). Developed cities like Denver (USA) and Warsaw (Poland) also face localized pollution issues, often linked to traffic and industrial emission.

Primary Causes:

  • Burning of Biomass and Fossil Fuels: In India and Pakistan, agricultural burning and reliance on coal-based energy are major contributors.
  • Traffic Congestion: Many cities face severe vehicular pollution due to outdated emissions controls.
  • Industrial Activities: Factories and brick kilns are significant pollution sources in South Asia.

Recommendations for Improvement:

  1. Policy Interventions: Stricter air quality standards, incentives for clean energy, and regulation of industrial emissions.
  2. Urban Planning: Improving public transportation and implementing vehicle electrification to reduce traffic-related emissions.
  3. International Collaboration: Sharing technologies for pollution monitoring and control.

This persistent issue highlights the need for a global and local response to improve air quality and public health. For detailed air quality statistics, you can refer to platforms like IQAir.

Top 10 polluted Countries

Top 10 most polluted countries in the world for 2023, based on annual PM2.5 levels (measured in micrograms per cubic meter), are:

  1. Bangladesh - 79.9 µg/m³
  2. Pakistan - 73.7 µg/m³
  3. India - 54.4 µg/m³
  4. Tajikistan - 49.0 µg/m³
  5. Burkina Faso - 46.6 µg/m³
  6. Iraq - 44.7 µg/m³
  7. Nepal - 40.8 µg/m³
  8. Mongolia - 39.9 µg/m³
  9. Cameroon - 38.0 µg/m³
  10. Uzbekistan - 37.3 µg/m³

These PM2.5 levels far exceed the World Health Organization's guideline of 5 µg/m³ for safe air quality. The major contributors include industrial emissions, transportation, agricultural practices, and natural dust​.

References:
  1. Data Pandas
  2. ​IQAir | First in Air Quality
  3. ​IQAir | First in Air Quality

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

World’s Largest Single Rooftop solar power plant in India

By -
Image
Solar panels installed on the roof with a capacity of 11.5 MW in Punjab state in India India’s solar mission which has kept at a target of 175 GW and the government is trying to keep its word to generate power from all kinds of Renewable Energy Resources. As it is focused on Solar, Wind and Biomass power generation technologies. We all know that a roof is the zero cost of land and uses the space for solar panel installation. There is no requirement of a special setup is installing the solar roof. Depending upon the roof size and shading and direction of the sunlight is considered for setting up the solar panels. But, most of them have small or medium roofs that can generate in kiloWatts (kW) or Megawatt (MW) scale. In Amritsar, there is an installation od 11.5 MW capacity of a solar power plant which is completely covered with solar roof which will benefit 8000 households was built by Radha Saomi Satsang Beas (RSSB), a religious organization in Punjab. Badal along with New and Re
Read more

Recycle Marts development in urban and rural areas

By -
Image
In most of the western countries and developing countries are launching the new concept called the “ Recycling Malls ” in major cities and towns across their countries. The main objective of the recycle mart is to sell the used products (ex: used plastic, glass, paper, etc.). This is an innovative way of making things and helping in reducing environmental pollution in the surroundings across the globe.   There are different kinds of pollutions that are generated effecting Air, Water, Land, Food, Sea, Ocean pollutions. It is damaging the EARTH gradually and impacting directly and indirectly that are highly toxic and increase the scope of new harmful viruses etc.   Issue: Wastes are different types that are generated in the world which is mostly produced by man. Anything that is produced excess and unable to control is added into pollutant list. The recycling plants are getting adopted across the globe with different techniques, methodologies and Strategic ways in collection
Read more

Honda can be the Indian EV Market giant comparing to OEMs

By -
Image
Honda is one of the popular brands in the Indian automobile industry. with the Activa petrol scooter with multiple versions, the company is come up with an electric version which Indian consumers are awaiting for the same. Apart from their plans to launch the electric vehicle in the Indian market, some of the key points are strong enough for Honda can capture a great EV market share in the country. Kinetic Honda is the predecessor for Honda Activa which was a big hit in 90s.  Year wise Activa Models released by Honda:  2001,  2002,  2007,  2008,  2009,  2018,  2019,  2020,  2021 Some of the key advantages for Honda can be a great EV market giant compared with startups and OEMs due to the following: Charging facilities in service stations: As Honda has 334+ service stations [1] across various states in India, the majority of them are bigger compared to other two-wheeler service stations. So a large charging infrastructure network and facility can be developed which can provide easy ac
Read more

Solar Cell efficiency with new polymer devices

By -
Image
India is witnessing a new chapter in the growth of the renewable sector, mainly in the solar sector. Hence, any new breakthrough in the field of solar cells and solar power generation is beneficial for India. New technology is being developed in the University of Chicago within the confines of its chemistry laboratory by Professor “Luping Yu”. A new kind of solar panel was designed and manufactured which has a higher efficiency when compared with the currently running modules used for power generation. The given polymer solar cell consists of a new polymer, called "PID2". The new polymer improves the efficiency of electrical power generation by 15 per cent when added to a standard polymer-fullerene mixture. New light has been shed on solar power generation using devices made with polymers. Researchers identified a new polymer a type of large molecule that forms plastics and other familiar materials which improved the efficiency of solar cells. The group also determined th
Read more

Achieving 175 GW RE Target by INDIA With Extended 450 GW BY 2030 Ambitious Target

By -
Image
The Indian government has kept a target of 175 GW installed capacity using different renewable energy technologies in the country. Currently, the total installed capacity of the country is 367.3 GW of which thermal is 230.72 GW , Nuclear is 6.78 GW , Hydro is 45.4 GW and RE is 84.4 GW as on 31.12.2019. For the month of December 2019 the electricity generated in different power segments is 86.1 BU in thermal, 3.6 BU in Nuclear, 8.9 BU in Hydro and 9.3 BU in RE [1] . Currently, the total renewable installed capacity is 57.472 GW ( 12.5 GW of solar i.e., 21.8% and 32.3 GW of wind i.e., 56.2% ).  Depending upon the current installation frequency, we can forecast whether we can reach the target by 2022 or 2030 . MNRE is exploring with new innovative approach for increasing the capacity of renewable energy in the country and promoting them for the same. [2] Benefits with 175 GW RE target   Reduces the carbon footprints in the country and promotes renewable energy technologies;
Read more