Key Highlights:
- The survey of pollution data demonstrated that not a single country managed to meet the WHO air quality standard.
- Around 93 cities saw PM2.5 levels at 10 times the recommended level.
- China has ranked 22nd on the list of rankings in 2021 slipping down from 14th place
The WHO has revealed a report concerning the data for air quality standards in 2021. The survey of pollution data in 6,475 cities demonstrated that not a single country managed to meet the World Health Organization’s air quality standard. Also, smog even rebounded in some regions after the COVID-19 related dip.
After the change in guidelines next year, WHO recommends an average annual reading of small and hazardous airborne particles known as PM2.5, which are not supposed to be more than 5 micrograms per cubic meter. WHO stated that even low concentrations caused significant health risks.
Air Quality not matching WHO levels
In the survey, only 3.4% of surveyed cities met the air quality standard. From the data compiled by IQAir-a Swiss pollution technology company that monitors air quality. Around 93 cities saw PM2.5 levels at 10 times the recommended level.
Christi Schroeder, the air quality science manager with IQAir shared a statement, “There are a lot of countries that are making big strides in reduction. China started with some very big numbers and they are continuing to decrease over time. But there are also places in the world where it is getting significantly worse.”
Polluted countries on the list
Among the polluted cities, India’s pollution level has worsened in 2021. The country’s capital New Delhi has remained the world’s most polluted capital. Ranking second on the list is Bangladesh as the most polluted country same as last year, while Chad ranked second after Africa’s country data was included for the first time.
China has ranked 22nd on the list of rankings in 2021 slipping down from 14th place and the average readings have improved slightly over the year to 32.6 micrograms.
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