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The recently published 2023 World Air Quality Report from Swiss technology company IQAir reveals some stark facts about the level of pollution in cities and countries across the world.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution poses a major threat to health and climate. Over seven million people die prematurely every year from exposure to fine particulate matter – dust, soot, dirt and smoke – caused by both ambient and household air pollution.
To meet WHO guidelines, this fine airborne particulate matter (PM2.5), which is less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter, should not exceed 5 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3).
In its latest 2023 World Air Quality Report, IQAir published region and city PM2.5 rankings. To do this it analysed data from more than 30,000 air quality monitoring stations across 7,812 locations in 134 countries, territories and regions.
The report found that only seven countries met the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline: Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius and New Zealand. The rest – 124 out of 134 countries and regions – exceeded it, with the top five most polluted countries being Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Tajikistan and Burkina Faso.
For the first time in the six years that this report has been published, Canada was the most polluted country in Northern America, with the region’s 13 most polluted cities located within its borders. This is no doubt due to last year’s record wildfires in the country.
However, there are areas, particularly in Africa, where there is no air data as many regions do not have access to air quality monitors. It is these regions where air quality is likely to be poor.
According to IQAir, while the number of low-cost air quality monitors have grown in regions around the world – mostly due to them being sponsored and hosted by citizen scientists, researchers, community advocates and local organisations – there still remain significant gaps.
This is an issue, IQAir states, as the lack of air quality data delays decisive action and perpetuates unnecessary human suffering.
“Air quality data saves lives. Where air quality is reported, action is taken and air quality improves,” said Frank Hammes, global CEO at IQAir.
“IQAir’s annual report illustrates the international nature and inequitable consequences of the enduring air pollution crisis. Local, national and international effort is urgently needed to monitor air quality in under-resourced places, manage the causes of transboundary haze and cut our reliance on combustion as an energy source,” said Aidan Farrow, senior air quality scientist at Greenpeace International.
