The findings, based on data from 40,000 monitoring stations across 138 countries, disclose that most of the world’s population is inhaling dangerously polluted air. They also paint a grim picture of a planet suffocating under the weight of its own progress.
Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and the Democratic Republic of Congo top the list of nations with the dirtiest air. In these countries, the average smog levels are more than 15 times higher than WHO guidelines.
Chad, for instance, earned the dubious distinction of being the most polluted country in 2022, a result of Sahara dust storms and rampant crop burning. Meanwhile, India – home to 13 of the world's 20 most polluted cities – continues to grapple with industrial emissions, vehicular pollution and unchecked urbanization. (Related: Air pollution in late pregnancy increases NICU admissions, study warns.)
The report underscores a troubling reality: The scale of the problem is likely far worse than the data suggests. In Africa, for example, there is only one air quality monitoring station for every 3.7 million people. This lack of infrastructure means that millions are living in areas where pollution levels are not even measured, let alone addressed.
The situation is further exacerbated by the recent decision of the U.S. Department of State to halt its air quality monitoring program at embassies and consulates worldwide. For many developing nations, these U.S.-operated monitors were the only reliable source of real-time pollution data...<<<Read More>>>...
