India’s Dominance in Global Pollution Rankings
A recent report by IQAir, titled the “World Air Quality Report 2024,” has highlighted a concerning trend in global air pollution, with India featuring prominently in the list of the world’s most polluted cities. According to the report, 13 out of the 20 most polluted cities globally are located in India. This alarming statistic underscores the severity of the air pollution crisis in the country.
Delhi: The Most Polluted Capital City
Delhi, the capital of India, has been identified as the world’s most polluted capital city. The report indicates that Delhi’s annual average PM2.5 concentration stood at 91.6 micrograms per cubic meter in 2024, a slight improvement from the 92.7 micrograms per cubic meter recorded in 2023. Despite this marginal improvement, Delhi continues to face significant air quality challenges, with pollution levels remaining dangerously high.
Byrnihat: The Most Polluted City in the World
In addition to Delhi, the report highlights Byrnihat in Assam as the most polluted city globally. Byrnihat recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 128.2 micrograms per cubic meter in 2024, making it the most polluted metropolitan area in the world. This alarming level of pollution is nearly 26 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter.
Health Implications of High Pollution Levels
The high levels of PM2.5 pollution pose significant health risks to the population. Exposure to such high levels of particulate matter can lead to severe respiratory issues, heart disease, and even cancer. According to a Lancet Planetary Health study, long-term exposure to PM2.5 pollution was linked to approximately 1.5 million deaths in India annually between 2009 and 2019. Furthermore, air pollution is estimated to reduce life expectancy in India by 5.2 years.
India’s Overall Pollution Ranking
India ranks as the fifth most polluted country in the world, according to the IQAir report. The country saw a 7% decline in PM2.5 concentrations in 2024, averaging 50.6 micrograms per cubic meter compared to 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023. However, this level is still 10 times higher than the WHO’s recommended limit.
Other Polluted Cities in India
Apart from Delhi and Byrnihat, several other Indian cities feature in the list of the world’s most polluted cities. These include:
- Mullanpur (Punjab)
- Faridabad (Haryana)
- Loni (Uttar Pradesh)
- Gurugram (Haryana)
- Ganganagar (Rajasthan)
- Greater Noida (Uttar Pradesh)
- Bhiwadi (Rajasthan)
- Muzaffarnagar (Uttar Pradesh)
- Hanumangarh (Rajasthan)
- Noida (Uttar Pradesh)
Call for Urgent Action
The IQAir report underscores the urgent need for comprehensive action to combat air pollution in India. Former WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan has emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of emission laws and the expansion of public transport systems. She also highlighted the importance of subsidizing cleaner fuels like LPG to reduce the use of biomass for cooking, which contributes significantly to air pollution.
In conclusion, the findings of the IQAir World Air Quality Report 2024 highlight the critical need for immediate and effective measures to address the air pollution crisis in India. The health and well-being of millions of people depend on the successful implementation of these measures.
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