Scientists announced information about the cleanliness of air in regions of the world
Last reviewed: 07.06.2024
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In the spring of this year, the results of the sixth annual World Clean Air Report were announced in Switzerland. Information on the most environmentally unfavorable regions for the past year 2023 was presented.
Clean air data were collected from 30,000 monitoring stations in nearly 8,000 regions and 134 states.
The following conclusions were drawn from the analyses:
- The World Health Organization annual PM2.5 standard was met in 7 countries (Australia, Finland, New Zealand, Estonia, Estonia, Iceland, Grenada and the island of Mauritius).
- Five countries were recognized as the most polluted:
- In the Republic of Bangladesh, the annual norm of PM2.5 was exceeded more than 15 times, the figure was almost 80 µg/cubic meter;
- in Pakistan, the annual standard was exceeded more than 14 times, with a value of more than 73 µg/cubic meter of air;
- in India, the annual standard was exceeded more than 10 times, the recorded value was more than 54 µg/cubic meter;
- in Tajikistan and Burkina Faso, the exceedance was more than 9 times, with values of 49 and 46.6 µg/cubic meter, respectively.
- Overall, exceedances of the annual standard of 5 µg/cubic meter were recorded in more than 92% of countries. In African countries, the counts could not be completely fulfilled.
- The increase in pollution indicators in the South-East Asian regions was attributed to climate and atmospheric transboundary haze.
- The least environmentally friendly cities are recorded in South and Central Asia.
- The most unfavorable air composition in a megacity is in India's Begusarai. At the same time, the most environmentally unfavorable cities in the world are also located in India.
- Ohio (Columbus) has the worst air quality among the largest U.S. Cities, and Wisconsin (Beloit) has the worst air quality among relatively small cities.
- The most environmentally friendly major American region is Las Vegas.
- The most environmentally unfavorable North American country is Canada. Scientists have counted thirteen cities with the most poor quality of the atmosphere.
- Clean air data in the Latin American and Caribbean regions may be erroneous due to inadequate measurement equipment installed there.
Air quality is monitored virtually worldwide, but not all countries have the ability to install adequate metering equipment capable of providing complete and truthful information.
Scientists emphasize that everyone has the right to live in clean, healthy environmental conditions. Every country in the world should be able to control air quality so as not to expose the population to the risk of developing various diseases and early death.
Air quality monitoring with the help of special independent stations demonstrates the negative impact of polluted atmosphere on certain population groups. It is important to ensure that such devices are installed worldwide.
The annual report of experts indicates that it is important to direct all local, national and international efforts as soon as possible to monitor air pollution indicators in regions with limited opportunities, to eradicate the root causes of atmospheric haze, to eliminate the need to generate energy by burning fuel.
Today, air pollution remains one of the global problems requiring radical and effective solutions.
The full report can be found at of IQAir magazine.