India, Pakistan and Bangladesh bottom in air quality rankings in 2023
In 2023 India, Pakistan and Bangladesh found themselves at the bottom of the global air quality rankings, replacing Chad and Iran as three of the world's most polluted countries.
Data released on Tuesday revealed that the levels of particulate matter, particularly PM2.5, in these countries were approximately 15 times higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended threshold.
Bangladesh reported an average concentration of 79.9 micrograms per cubic meter of PM2.5, while Pakistan recorded 73.7 micrograms. The WHO guideline stipulates that concentrations should not exceed 5 micrograms per cubic meter.
Christi Chester Schroeder, the air quality science manager at IQAir, a Swiss air-monitoring organization, attributed the severe pollution levels in South Asia to a combination of climatic conditions and geography. She explained that pollutants, particularly PM2.5, tend to accumulate due to stagnant air caused by geographical factors.
Additionally, agricultural practices, industrial emissions, and high population density exacerbate the situation. Schroeder expressed concern that the situation may deteriorate further before any significant improvement is seen.
Comparing to the previous year, Bangladesh, which was ranked fifth in terms of poor air quality in 2022, experienced a worsening situation. India, which stood at the eighth position, also saw an increase in pollution levels, with PM2.5 concentrations surpassing the WHO standard by about 11 times. The capital city of India, New Delhi, emerged as the worst-performing capital globally, with PM2.5 levels reaching 92.7 micrograms.
China also experienced a rise in PM2.5 levels by 6.3%, reaching 32.5 micrograms in 2023, after enjoying five consecutive years of decline.
In contrast, only a handful of countries, including Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius, and New Zealand, managed to meet the WHO air quality standards in 2023. These nations serve as examples of effective measures to combat air pollution and protect public health.
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