New Delhi and Kolkata are the two most polluted cities in the world in terms of PM2.5 levels, according to a report released by Health Effects Institutes (HEI) based in the United States. The study ranked cities based on two major air pollutants found — fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
According to the latest State of Global Air report on air quality and health in cities, most global cities far exceed World Health Organisation's (WHO) air pollution guidelines. The report, 'Air Quality and Health in Cities', used data from 2010 to 2019. Earlier, the WHO issued guidelines that cut acceptable annual exposure of small and hazardous airborne particles known as PM2.5 to 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air.
According to the report, Shanghai city in China and Moscow city in Russia are the two most polluted cities in terms of exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
Which cities are the most polluted in terms of PM2.5 levels?
Delhi (India), Kolkata (India), Kano (Nigeria), Lima (Peru), Dhaka (Bangladesh), Jakarta (Indonesia), Lagos (Nigeria), Karachi (Pakistan), Beijing (China), and Accra (Ghana) are the top 10 most polluted cities in terms of exposure to PM2.5.
Exposure to PM2.5 pollution is higher in cities located in low and middle-income countries. Exposure to PM2.5 often causes respiratory problems.
Which cities are the most polluted in terms of NO2 levels?
Shanghai (China), Moscow (Russia), Tehran (Iran), St. Petersburg (Russia), Beijing (China), Cairo (Egypt), Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), Minsk (Belarus), Istanbul (Turkey), and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) are the top 10 most polluted cities in terms of exposure to NO2.
Exposure to NO2 pollution is higher in cities located in high-income and low-middle-income countries.
Reportedly, the highest population-weighted annual average PM2.5 exposure in 2019 was in India’s capital, Delhi, at 110 μg/m3, followed by Kolkata at 84 μg/m3.
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