Bangladesh and Chad are ranked as the world’s most polluted countries in 2024, with air quality in Bangladesh exceeding WHO guidelines by over 15 times. Only seven countries met WHO standards last year. The cessation of the US air quality monitoring program is exacerbating data gaps, particularly in developing nations. Climate change is contributing to deteriorating air quality globally.
In 2024, Bangladesh and Chad have been identified as the world’s most polluted countries, with Bangladesh’s air quality being over 15 times worse than the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO), as highlighted by Swiss air monitoring firm IQAir. These findings were reported by Reuters, which also noted that India, Pakistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo exhibited significantly high smog levels, reflecting a continuing global air quality crisis.
Data indicates that only seven countries—Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Estonia, and Iceland—successfully complied with WHO air quality guidelines last year. This decline in global air quality efforts coincides with the United States’ cessation of its global air quality monitoring program, which has historically been relied upon by many developing nations for accurate pollution tracking.
The termination of the US monitoring initiative has raised significant concerns, particularly for African nations where available air quality data is typically sourced from US embassies. “Most countries have a few other data sources, but it’s going to impact Africa significantly,” stated Christi Chester-Schroeder, IQAir’s air quality science manager.
Chad’s exclusion from IQAir’s 2023 list was due to data limitations, although it was previously ranked as the most polluted country in 2022, largely influenced by Sahara dust and uncontrolled agricultural burning. In 2024, PM2.5 concentrations in Chad reached 91.8 micrograms per cubic meter, considerably exceeding the WHO’s recommended maximum of 5 mg/cu m.
India ranked fifth among the most polluted nations, with average PM2.5 levels dropping to 50.6 mg/cu m. However, it dominated the list of the highest pollution cities, with Byrnihat recording a staggering 128 mg/cu m, primarily due to its industrial activities. Climate change is increasingly being recognized as a contributor to intensified pollution, with severe weather exacerbating conditions.
Experts, including Christa Hasenkopf from the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute, warned that the cessation of the US program will result in at least 34 countries losing access to crucial air quality data. This program has not only contributed to improved air quality but has also had positive impacts on life expectancy in monitored cities, demonstrating its effectiveness and value.
Bangladesh and Chad have emerged as the leading nations in air pollution for 2024, significantly exceeding WHO standards. The recent cessation of the US global air quality monitoring initiative has raised concerns about the availability of reliable pollution data, particularly affecting developing countries. Climate change continues to play a pivotal role in worsening air quality, necessitating urgent global actions to address this challenge.
Original Source: bdnews24.com
