Bangladesh and Chad were identified as the most polluted countries in 2024, significantly exceeding WHO air quality standards, according to IQAir. Only seven nations met these guidelines that year. The cessation of US air quality monitoring is expected to exacerbate pollution tracking challenges globally, particularly in developing regions highly dependent on these data for public health assessments.
In 2024, Bangladesh was reported as the most polluted country globally, with air quality exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines by over 15 times, as revealed by IQAir, a Swiss air quality monitoring firm. It shared this unflattering status with Chad, while countries such as India, Pakistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo also exhibited dangerously high levels of air pollution, as per reports from Reuters.
According to recent data, only seven countries managed to meet the WHO air quality standards last year. These include Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Estonia, and Iceland. The increased difficulty in combating smog was highlighted by researchers, especially with the United States ceasing its global monitoring operations, which previously assisted many nations in tracking air quality effectively.
The cessation of the US air quality monitoring program has generated concerns about significant data gaps, particularly in Asia and Africa. This program had been a critical source of air quality data for many developing nations, where inaccuracies could obscure the true pollution levels. Christi Chester-Schroeder, the air quality science manager at IQAir, noted that the end of this effort could severely impact data reliability in Africa, given its reliance on publicly available sources for real-time air quality monitoring.
Although Chad was excluded from the IQAir 2023 pollution list due to data concerns, it was previously ranked as the most polluted country in 2022. The nation struggles with pollution challenges stemming from Sahara dust and uncontrolled crop burning, with PM2.5 levels reaching 91.8 micrograms per cubic meter last year, above the WHO’s recommended maximum of 5 mg/cu m.
India ranked fifth in the pollution rankings, behind the aforementioned countries, with a PM2.5 level averaging 50.6 mg/cu m. Remarkably, it was identified as housing 12 out of the 20 most polluted cities, led by Byrnihat in the northeast, which reported a staggering average PM2.5 level of 128 mg/cu m.
Climate change has exacerbated pollution, causing more intense and prolonged forest fires in regions like South East Asia and South America. Christa Hasenkopf from the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute warned that at least 34 countries will face an erosion of reliable pollution data following the US program’s termination. The initiative had proven beneficial by improving air quality in monitored cities, leading to improved life expectancy and reduced hazard allowances for US diplomats, thus demonstrating its financial viability.
“[It] is a giant blow to air quality efforts worldwide,” Hasenkopf remarked, underscoring the tremendous implications of this discontinuation.
In summary, the alarming air pollution levels in Bangladesh and Chad highlight a major global health crisis, exacerbated by data insufficiencies following the cessation of US air quality monitoring operations. With only a handful of countries adhering to WHO standards and the expanding influence of climate change on pollution, there is an urgent need for enhanced surveillance and actionable strategies to combat air quality issues worldwide. The recent trends pose significant threats to public health and environmental stability in numerous regions.
Original Source: bdnews24.com
