STEINACH, Switzerland – The 6th Annual World Air Quality Report reveals troubling details of the world’s most polluted countries, territories, and regions in 2023. For this year’s report, data from more than 30,000 air quality monitoring stations across 7,812 locations in 134 countries, territories, and regions were analyzed by IQAir’s air quality scientists.
Key findings from the report highlight both progress and setbacks in the fight against air pollution. While seven countries, including Australia and New Zealand, met the WHO’s annual PM2.5 guideline, a staggering 124 countries exceeded this limit, with some surpassing it by more than 15 times.
The most polluted regions, such as Central & South Asia and parts of Africa, faced alarming levels of PM2.5 concentrations, leading to severe health implications. In India alone, four of the world’s most polluted cities, including Begusarai, grappled with hazardous air quality, underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions.
Surprisingly, even developed nations were not immune to the crisis, with Canada becoming the most polluted country in Northern America. This revelation challenges the notion that air pollution is solely a problem of developing nations, emphasizing the global nature of the issue.
Moreover, the report highlights the urgent comprehensive air quality monitoring in driving positive change. While the expansion of monitoring networks is commendable, significant gaps persist, particularly in underrepresented regions like Africa. Addressing these disparities is important to ensure equitable access to clean air and prioritize the health of all communities.
While the number of countries and regions with air quality monitoring has steadily increased over the past six years, there remain significant gaps in government-operated regulatory instrumentation in many parts of the world. Low-cost air quality monitors, sponsored and hosted by citizen scientists, researchers, community advocates, and local organizations, have proven to be valuable tools for reducing gaps in air monitoring networks across the world.
“A clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is a universal human right. In many parts of the world the lack of air quality data delays decisive action and perpetuates unnecessary human suffering. Air quality data saves lives. Where air quality is reported, action is taken, and air quality improves,” said Frank Hammes, Global CEO, of IQAir.
These independent air quality monitoring stations reveal disproportional exposure to harmful air pollution among vulnerable and underrepresented groups. Glaring gaps in air quality monitoring data, where pollution is likely poor, further underline the need to expand air quality monitoring coverage worldwide. “IQAir’s annual report illustrates the international nature and inequitable consequences of the enduring air pollution crisis.
Local, national, and international effort is urgently needed to monitor air quality in under-resourced places, manage the causes of transboundary haze, and cut our reliance on combustion as an energy source,” states Aidan Farrow, Sr. Air Quality Scientist, Greenpeace International.
“In 2023 air pollution remained a global health catastrophe, IQAir’s global data set provides an important reminder of the resulting injustices and the need to implement the many solutions that exist to this problem.”
For those interested in the findings of the report or contributing to air quality initiatives, the full report is available for download on IQAir’s website.
About IQAir
IQAir is a Swiss technology company that empowers individuals, organizations, and governments to improve air quality through information, collaboration, and intervention.
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media