In 2024, only seven countries met WHO air quality standards; Chad and Bangladesh were the most polluted. The U.S. ended its global air quality monitoring program, impacting data access for many developing nations. India’s pollution decreased slightly but remains severe, while climate change exacerbates the crisis, highlighting the urgent need for effective solutions.
In 2024, only seven countries, namely Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Estonia, and Iceland, met the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality standards. This information comes as researchers highlight the escalating challenge of combating smog, particularly following the cessation of the United States’ global air quality monitoring program due to budget constraints. As a result, significant data gaps are prevalent, especially in regions like Asia and Africa, where many nations relied on U.S. embassy data to monitor air pollution levels.
Chad and Bangladesh emerged as the most polluted countries, with smog levels exceeding WHO guidelines by more than 15 times. In Chad, measurements of PM2.5, hazardous airborne particles, reached an average concentration of 91.8 micrograms per cubic meter last year. This level is alarmingly above the WHO recommendation of a maximum of 5 mg/cu m, which only 17% of cities achieved last year.
India ranked fifth among the most polluted nations globally, reporting an average PM2.5 concentration of 50.6 mg/cu m, a 7% decline from the previous year. Despite this overall decrease, India accounted for 12 of the 20 cities with the highest pollution levels, with Byrnihat registering a staggering average of 128 mg/cu m. Experts indicate that rising temperatures due to climate change are increasingly exacerbating pollution levels.
The recent discontinuation of the U.S. monitoring program is projected to significantly impact at least 34 countries, as they will lose access to reliable pollution data. Christa Hasenkopf, the director of the Clean Air Program at the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute, pointed out that the U.S. initiative had previously led to improved air quality and increased life expectancy in cities where such monitors were placed.
Christi Chester-Schroeder of IQAir emphasized that the absence of these monitoring systems will hinder air quality efforts, particularly in Africa, where these sources were crucial for real-time air quality data. The overall situation highlights the pressing need for continued global efforts in air quality monitoring and strict adherence to WHO standards to combat smog effectively.
In conclusion, the dramatic reliance on U.S. air quality monitoring has exposed significant vulnerabilities in global air pollution data management, especially for developing countries. As Chad and Bangladesh remain at the forefront of polluted locales, India reflects a slight improvement yet still grapples with severe pollution levels in major cities. The culmination of these factors underscores an urgent need for renewed international collaboration and innovative solutions to combat air pollution effectively.
Original Source: www.firstpost.com
