The 2024 World Air Quality Report by IQAIR, which is a Swiss air quality technology company, revealed that India is the world’s fifth-most polluted country.
India – The World’s 5th Most Populated Country
According to them, the country has levels of fine particulate matter, a major pollutant, at more than ten times the WHO’s annual guidelines.
The country’s average concentration of fine particulate matter in terms of ‘Weighted by population’ measured in micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3), in 2024 was 50.6 – against the WHO’s recommended annual guideline level of 5 μg/m3.
Interestingly, this report noted several other reasons for notoriety as far as air quality goes, as the report mentioned in its release on March 11.
For instance, 74 of the 100 most polluted cities in the world in 2024 are in India including three of the top four.
This report highlights that Byrnihat in Meghalaya is the world’s most polluted city with a fine particulate matter concentration of 128.2 µg/m³, more than 25 times the WHO guideline limit.
India’s capital – Delhi came at a close second.
So far only seven countries met the WHO’s annual guidelines for fine particulate matter concentrations including Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Estonia, Grenada, Iceland and New Zealand.
When it came to the World Air Quality Report 2024, it specifically looked at levels of fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, which are particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter.
According to them, despite being fine, these particles are deadly as they are a major pollutant emitted by construction, industries and fossil fuels.
To the extent that they can affect human health, causing a range of illnesses including respiratory issues.
A total of 8.1 million deaths could be attributed to air pollution, and fine particulate matter caused 58% of them in 2021 alone.
Challenges Persist Due to Inconsistent Policy
If you are wondering regarding the World Air Quality Report 2024, it compiled data from more than 40,000 air quality monitoring stations across 8,954 locations in 138 countries, territories and regions across the globe.
This data was analyzed by the researchers on PM2.5 keeping certain factors in check, such as the country’s population.
The Bahamas, with an average fine particulate matter concentration of 2.3 µg/m3, was the cleanest country in 2024, the report showed.
Compared to 2023, India witnessed a 7% decline in fine particulate matter concentrations in 2024.
Besides this there are several other records that India as a country holds when it comes to air quality levels in 2024 as per the latest IQAIR report.
Country ‘s capital, Delhi, turned out to be the world’s second-most polluted city, with a fine particulate matter concentration of more than 21 times the WHO guidelines and increased by 6% in 2024 compared to from 2023.
Further the report noted the challenges that India faces when it comes to air quality levels, adding, “Despite governmental measures, such as the National Clean Air Programme aiming to reduce pollution levels, challenges persist due to inconsistent policy implementation and inadequate infrastructure.”
“By highlighting the disproportionate risk posed to young people by air pollution, the report reminds us that a failure to act today will be felt by future generations, while frequent references to human activities like coal burning and deforestation are a reminder that air quality, climate change and the world that will be inherited by our children are inextricably linked” the report stated.
