A recent report reveals that 83% of the global population breathes polluted air, with only 17% of cities meeting air quality guidelines. Key polluted regions include Chad, Congo, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India, which hosts the majority of the world’s most polluted cities. Effective interventions are being implemented in select areas, but significant efforts are needed globally to address this pressing health crisis.
The global air quality report indicates that a significant majority of the world’s population is exposed to pollution, with only 17% of cities adhering to air quality guidelines. The examination, conducted by the Switzerland-based IQAir, analyzed data from 40,000 monitoring stations across 138 countries, revealing that Chad, Congo, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India suffer from the most severe air quality issues.
Data shows that India is home to six out of nine of the most polluted cities worldwide, with Byrnihat being noted as the most adversely impacted. However, experts caution that actual pollution levels could be far worse due to inadequate monitoring in numerous regions, especially in Africa where each monitoring station serves roughly 3.7 million individuals.
In response to the alarming air quality, initiatives are underway to expand air quality monitoring networks, including the addition of data from nearly 9,000 new locations in the current year. Nevertheless, recent decisions by the U.S. State Department to restrict public access to its embassy air pollution data represent a setback for transparency and awareness.
Long-term exposure to polluted air increases the risk of respiratory diseases, Alzheimer’s, and cancer, warns Fatimah Ahamad, a leading air pollution specialist. The World Health Organization estimates approximately 7 million premature deaths annually due to air pollution, underscoring the urgent need for action to diminish pollutants.
Ahamad emphasizes the necessity for comprehensive measures to reduce air pollution levels. The WHO has previously reported that a staggering 99% of the global population resides in areas failing to meet safe air quality standards. She poignantly remarked, “If you have bad water, you can tell people to wait for half an hour a day, the water will come. But if you have bad air, you cannot tell people to pause breathing.”
Certain cities, including Beijing, Seoul, and Rybnik, have demonstrated success in enhancing air quality through stringent pollution regulations and investments in public transit and cleaner energy sources. Additionally, the ASEAN agreement on transboundary haze pollution reflects collective efforts to combat air quality degradation, although its effectiveness remains limited.
Moreover, Shweta Narayan from the Global Climate and Health Alliance indicates that regions suffering from the worst pollution also heavily emit climate-changing gases through coal, oil, and gas combustion. There is a clear linkage between climate action and air quality improvement, as she states, “Air pollution and climate crisis are two sides of the same coin.”
The report highlights a grave global air quality crisis, indicating that the majority of the population is exposed to polluted air. While some cities are making strides towards improving their air quality through sound policies and practices, the overall situation remains dire due to inadequate monitoring and regulatory measures. Urgent action and collective efforts are necessary to combat air pollution and mitigate its severe impacts on public health and the environment.
Original Source: apnews.com
