Summary of Blog
Air pollution is the most severe environmental threat to public health globally, impacting our health, development, and environment. The top 10 most polluted cities in 2024 include Osorno, Chile; Et Tira , Israel; Ashton, New Zealand; and many others discussed in the blog. Air pollution’s health impacts include respiratory conditions, cardiovascular diseases, and lung cancer, while environmental impacts encompass acid rain, eutrophication, and climate change. Economically, it leads to increased medical costs and reduced productivity. The top 5 most polluted countries are Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Tajikistan, and Burkina Faso. Major causes of pollution include fossil fuel use, industrial activities, agriculture, and poor waste management. Efforts like the Paris Agreement aim to combat these issues. The blog underscores the urgent need for sustainable practices and cleaner technologies from companies like Oizom , which offers advanced air quality monitoring devices and provides real-time accurate data. However, if we practice or adopt sustainability towards a cleaner future, we will achieve SDG -3, 11, 13, and 15 for the urban environment.
The Top 10 Most Polluted Cities in the World:
It’s said that the air we breathe is the essence of life. However, for residents of the following cities, the air they breathe daily might be far from pure. Air pollution has become a primary global concern in the last few decades, leading to numerous health and environmental challenges. Here’s a look at the world’s top 10 most polluted cities and the pressing need for change. Below, I will discuss the most polluted cities in the world in 2024.Â
| Rank | City | Country | AQI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Osorno | Chile | 371 |
| 2 | Et Tira | Israel | 359 |
| 3 | Ashton | New Zealand | 310 |
| 4 | Bhagalpur | India | 286 |
| 5 | Cuernavaca | Mexico | 233 |
| 6 | Nuneaton | UK | 227 |
| 7 | Abu Qir | Egypt | 175 |
| 8 | Diadema | Brazil | 150 |
| 9 | Concepcion | Chile | 142 |
| 10 | Madinat Zayid | UAE | 142 |
It’s said that the air we breathe is the essence of life. However, for residents of the following cities, the air they breathe daily might be far from pure. Air pollution has become a primary global concern in the last few decades, leading to numerous health and environmental challenges. Here’s a look at the world’s top 10 dirtiest country in the world and the pressing need for change.
1) Osorno, Chile
- Osorno is an urban city located 938 kilometers south of Santiago, Chile’s capital. It is in the northern portion of the Los Lagos Region, in a fluvial valley formed by the confluence of the Rahue and Damas rivers. Over the decades, air pollution has become a serious problem in Osorno, Chile.Â
- Osorno, Chile, is ranked number one among the most polluted cities in the world. The burning of firewood, which is the main source of energy in south-central Chile, is regarded as the leading cause of air pollution. According to reports, 96.3% of Osorno’s population relies on firewood as their major heat source and cooking.Â
- According to the Ministry of Environment, firewood accounts for up to 94% of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions in some Chilean cities.
- The current PM2.5 concentration in Osorno is 14.1 times above the recommended limit of the WHO 24-hour air quality guidelines.
2) Et Tira, Israel
- Between 2015 and 2022, Israelis’ exposure to air pollution improved, although it remained much higher than World Health Organization targets set by Israel’s Environmental Protection Ministry.Â
- Here, I am going to share one fact: Emissions from Israel’s war in Gaza have an ‘immense’ effect on climate catastrophe.
- The vast majority (over 99%) of the 281,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2 equivalent) estimated to have been generated in the first 60 days following the 7 October Hamas attack can be attributed to Israel’s aerial bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza, according to a first-of-its-kind analysis by researchers in the UK and US.
- Hamas rockets fired into Israel during the same period generated about 713 tonnes of CO2, which is equivalent to approximately 300 tonnes of coal – underscoring the asymmetry of each side’s war machinery.
- Another main reason for increasing air pollution with particles was Israel’s proximity to desert areas, which is later known to come from emissions caused by industry and transportation.
- The current PM2.5 concentration in Et Tira is 13.1 times above the recommended limit of the WHO 24-hour air quality guidelines.
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3) Ashton, New Zealand
- Ashton is a lightly populated city in the Canterbury region of New Zealand’s South Island. It is situated on the Canterbury Plains south of Ashburton, on the Pacific Ocean coastline.
- The primary sources of particulate matter in New Zealand include home heating, industry, agricultural operations, road dust, and sea salt. Domestic fires, motor vehicles, and industry are the most common human-caused sources of particulate matter in New Zealand.Â
- Transport and home heating are two significant sources of air pollution in New Zealand. However, the sources are numerous and diverse. Some common sources of air pollution include manufacturing and combustion operations such as fuel burning, wood burning, chemical processing, paints, household cleaning agents, and agrichemicals.Â
- The current PM2.5 concentration in Ashton is 8.9 times above the recommended limit of the WHO 24-hour air quality guidelines.
4) Bhagalpur, India
- Bhagalpur was among the most polluted cities in the country, with a ‘severe’ air quality index of 286, which is considered unhealthy. The rise in air pollution was mainly due to unfavorable meteorological conditions, low wind velocity, and geological factors.Â
- The principal sources of outdoor air pollution include solid and liquid particles known as aerosols and gasses from vehicle emissions, building operations, factories, the combustion of stubble and fossil fuels, and wildfires.
- The main sources of indoor air pollution are dangerous gasses from cooking fuels (such as wood, crop wastes, charcoal, coal, and dung), moisture, mold smoke, and chemicals from cleaning goods.
- The current PM2.5 concentration in Bhagalpur is 11.9 times above the recommended limit given by the WHO 24-hour air quality guidelines.
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5) Cuernavaca, Mexico
- Mexico City is known all over the globe for its culture and rich history. It is a symbol of historical richness and cultural diversity, located in the center of North America. Mexico City, located 7,349 feet above sea level in a valley surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, has long suffered from thick layers of smog caused by traffic, factories, and wildfires.Â
- Air pollution in Mexico City is generated by automotive emissions, industrial activities, and waste burning, and it has major health and economic implications. The city’s terrain traps pollutants, resulting in low air quality. Major sources include approximately 8 million automobiles and numerous factories.Â
- The current PM2.5 concentration in Cuernavaca is 6.7 times above the recommended limit given by the WHO 24-hour air quality guidelines.
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6) Nuneaton, United Kingdom
- Nuneaton is a market town in Warwickshire, England, close to the county border with Leicestershire to the north-east.Â
- Vehicle emissions, residence chemicals, and material combustion contribute to air pollution. It raises the risk of certain serious illnesses and can exacerbate pre-existing ailments, such as respiratory disorders.
- Air pollution is linked to 43,000 deaths per year in the UK.  The World Health Organization and the UK Government recognize that air pollution is the largest environmental threat to our health.
7) Abu Qir, Egypt
- Historically known as Abukir or Aboukir, Abu Qir is a village on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast. It is near the ruins of ancient Canopus and 23 kilometers northeast of Alexandria by rail. It is located on the Abu Qir Peninsula, with Abu Qir Bay to the east.
- Cairo, located at the confluence of Upper Egypt’s Nile Valley and the Lower Egypt Delta, has been a major water and land commerce crossroads for over five thousand years. Its population is expected to reach 38 million by 2050, up from 23 million in 2020. It is already one of Africa’s most populous megacities and the second fastest-expanding city.Â
- The current PM2.5 concentration in Abu Qir is 6.5 times above the recommended limit of the WHO 24-hour air quality guidelines.
8) Diadema, Brazil
- Every year, air pollution kills approximately 49,000 Brazilians. Approximately half of these deaths (25,000) are caused by outdoor pollution, a common concern, particularly in cities. The remaining 24,000 come from domestic air pollution caused by cooking with wood and other solid fuels, primarily impacting rural communities. Outdoor and indoor air pollution kills one out of every 26 people in Brazil, making it the country’s tenth leading cause of death.Â
- The current PM2.5 concentration in Diadema is 2.3 times above the recommended limit of the WHO 24-hour air quality guidelines.
9) Concepcion, Chile
- Regarding the air quality in Chile, there are a few reasons for the excessive air pollution: wood burning, vehicle emissions, local geography, and wildfires.Â
- In Chile, air pollution causes 4,000 deaths per year—over a third from respiratory diseases, primarily from high levels of particulate matter from vehicles, wildfires, and woodburning stoves and heating systems.
- The current PM2.5 concentration in Concepcion is 3.9 times above the recommended limit given by the WHO 24-hour air quality guidelines.
10) Madinat Zayid, United Arab Emirates
- Madinat Zayid’s air quality varies, with periodic surges in pollution. Here are some of the key factors leading to air pollution in the city:
- Vehicle Emissions: Traffic congestion and car emissions make important contributions.
- Dust and Sandstorms: The arid environment and neighboring deserts can produce dust and sand particles (PM10 and PM2.5) in the air, particularly during strong winds.
- Industrial activity in the Madinat Zayid area, notably oil and gas installations, can potentially emit pollutants.
- The current PM2.5 concentration in Madinat Zayid is 2.3 times above the recommended limit given by the WHO 24-hour air quality guidelines.
The cities mentioned above are among the most polluted in the world. Additionally, I will include information about the top 5 polluted countries globally.Â
- Bangladesh
- Pakistan
- India
- TajikistanÂ
- Burkina Faso
Why has the Pollution Increased?
Since the beginning of the industrial revolution in the 19th century, environmental pollution has evolved into a global transboundary issue affecting air, water, soil, and ecosystems. However, It is directly related to human health and well-being. Additionally, Pollution is caused by three major human activities: the use of fossil fuels, particularly by industry and transportation; the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides in agriculture; and the increasing use and complexity of chemicals.
In addition to this, industrialization, the use of pesticides and nitrogen-based fertilizers, crop residues in agriculture, urbanization, forest fires, desert dust, and insufficient waste management, which are among the most polluting industries, have all contributed to increased environmental health concerns and pollution, particularly in low- and middle-income nations. Moreover, intensive material use depletes natural resources and harms the environment at all stages of the product life cycle, including manufacturing, use, and disposal. By 2050, global garbage is anticipated to reach 3.4 billion tonnes.
Figure -1 Historical and projected trends in ozone concentrations for Europe, North America, and East and South Asia, 1950–2050. (O Wild et al., 2012)
Note: The graphs show the results from a study (research article) that estimates regionally averaged changes in surface ozone due to past or future changes in anthropogenic precursor emissions based on 14 global chemistry transport models. Changes refer to ground-level ozone concentrations 2000, expressed as parts per billion by volume (ppbv).
Conclusion:
In conclusion, while these cities top the charts for their alarming pollution levels, it’s essential to note that air pollution is a global problem. Moreover, air quality and climate change are interrelated issues requiring collaborative solutions. Improving air quality can help with climate change mitigation efforts, and addressing climate change can also help with air quality. This list serves as a wake-up call for governments, industries, and communities to prioritise sustainable practices, invest in cleaner technologies, and raise awareness about health. However, if we practise or adopt sustainability towards a cleaner future, we will achieve SDG -3, 11, 13, 15 for the urban environment.
Regarding air pollution, the dirtiest city in the world is often listed as Lahore in Pakistan. However, based on data from Earth.org and other environmental monitoring agencies, this can vary from year to year.
The top 5 polluted countries in the world areÂ
- Bangladesh
- Pakistan
- India
- TajikistanÂ
- Burkina Faso
The most polluted country in the world is Bangladesh.
The second-most polluted city in the world is Et Tira, Israel, with an AQI of 359, which is considered to be severely polluted.
The three cleanest countries in the world, known for their high environmental performance and low pollution levels, are typically:
- Denmark
- United Kingdom
- Finland
With an EPI Score of 77.9, Denmark ranks first in the list of the cleanest countries globally. The country's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable practices are the prime reasons for the high EPI score.
As of recent reports, Bangladesh is often cited as Asia's dirtiest country in terms of air pollution, with particularly high levels of particulate matter (PM2.5).
According to the Swachh Survekshan, an annual survey by the Indian government, Indore has been ranked as India's cleanest city for several consecutive years.
India's rank in cleanliness can vary depending on the specific index or report. According to the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2022, India ranked 180 out of 180 countries. It is ranked after Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Myanmar, with a trifling score of 18.9.
Byrnihat, Meghalaya is often cited as the dirtiest city in India regarding air pollution, with extremely high levels of PM2.5 and PM10.
