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 Bali, India; chandnnagar, India; Dum Dum, India; 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, Chad, Kuwait, India, Pakistan. 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.
Use of air quality monitoring stations
Air quality monitoring refers to gathering and analyzing samples of ambient air pollution. To assess the condition of the air, data from these samples are compared to clean air standards, historical data on air quality levels, and data on its effects on human health and the environment. First, let us understand the monitoring needs:
Identifying the purpose behind the monitoring of air quality:
- Your monitoring requirements could include tracking indoor pollution levels in your home or workplace, determining the outdoor air quality for environmental projects, or adhering to industrial safety rules. Your options might be significantly reduced by defining your unique needs.
Which types of pollutants do you want to monitor:
- The EPA created National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six common air pollutants, sometimes called “criteria” air pollutants, to safeguard human health and welfare across the country. The contaminants are particulate matter, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and lead.Â
Did you know Oizom has just launched its latest innovation, Pollusense? It’s a portable air quality monitor designed to provide accurate, real-time data on pollutants and environmental conditions. Equipped with advanced sensor technology, Pollusense uses laser-based, PID, MPS, and electrochemical sensors to detect particulate matter, gases like NO2, CH4, and VOCs. This compact portable device is perfect for industries, environmental audits, or anyone needing flexible air quality monitoring on the go. With this Pollusense, you get accurate insights wherever you are, ensuring you always stay informed.
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.
| Rank | City | Country | AQI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bali | India | 335 |
| 2 | Chanddnagar | India | 325 |
| 3 | Dum Dum | India | 321 |
| 4 | Mahadipur | India | 319 |
| 5 | Rajmahal | India | 314 |
| 6 | Halisahar | India | 313 |
| 7 | Balurghat | India | 313 |
| 8 | Naihati | India | 313 |
| 9 | Bhadreswar | India | 313 |
| 10 | Hugli | India | 312 |
1) Bali, India
- Bali is a town and municipality in the Pali district of Rajasthan, India. It is located on the left bank of the Mithari River and was once the headquarters of a district with the same name in Jodhpur State.
- Bali, India, ranked number one among the most polluted cities in the world. The current AQI in Bali, India, is 335, which is severely polluted.Â
- Did you know this? Breathing the air in this location is as harmful as smoking 4.4 cigarettes a day.
- Risk of Asthma symptoms is High when AQI is Severe (200-500).Â
- The current PM2.5 concentration in Bali is 144µg/m³.
- AQI in Bali is 1.14 times above than in West Bengal.
2) Chanddnagar, India
- Chandannagar, also known by its former names Chandernagore and Chandernagor is a city in the Hooghly district of the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the administrative headquarters of the Chandannagore subdivision and is within the jurisdiction of the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA).
- The city, located on the western bank of the Hooghly River, was one of five French outposts in India. Indo-French architecture can be found in the colonial bungalows, the majority of which are decaying.
- Chandannagar, India, ranked second among the most polluted cities in the world. The current AQI in Chandannagar, India, is 325, which is severely polluted.Â
- Did you know this? Breathing the air in this location is as harmful as smoking 4.5 cigarettes a day.
- Risk of Asthma symptoms is High when AQI is Severe (200-500).Â
- The current PM2.5 concentration in Chanddnagar is 172µg/m³.
- AQI in Bali is 1.24 times above than in West Bengal.
3) Dum Dum, India
- Dum Dum is a city and municipality in the Kolkata Metropolitan Area’s North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal, India. It falls within the jurisdiction of the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA). The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, often known as Kolkata Airport, is located in Dum Dum.
- In the history of Bengal, Dum Dum holds a very significant place. Dum Dum was sparsely populated before the British came there. The area was slightly elevated.
- Dum Dum, India, ranked third among the most polluted cities in the world. The current AQI in Chandannagar, India, is 321, which is severely polluted.Â
- Did you know this? Breathing the air in this location is as harmful as smoking 4.3 cigarettes a day.
- Risk of Asthma symptoms is High when AQI is Severe (200-500).Â
- The current PM2.5 concentration in Dum Dum is 137µg/m³.
- AQI in Dum Dum is 1.12 times above than in West Bengal.
4) Mahadipur, India
- Mahadipur is a village in English Bazar CD block, Malda Sadar subdivision, Malda district, West Bengal, India, and a border checkpoint on the Indian side of the Bangladesh-India border, connecting to Sonamosjid in Chapai Nawabganj District on the Bangladesh side.
- Mahadipur, India, ranked fourth among the most polluted cities in the world. The current AQI in Chandannagar, India, is 319, which is severely polluted.Â
- Did you know this? Breathing the air in this location is as harmful as smoking 3.9 cigarettes a day.
- Risk of Asthma symptoms is High when AQI is Severe (200-500).Â
- The current PM2.5 concentration in Mahadipur is 131µg/m³.
- AQI in Dum Dum is 1.15 times above than in West Bengal.
5) Rajmahal, India
- Rajmahal is a historic town in the far northeastern state of Jharkhand in India. It is west of the Ganges (Ganga) River. The town is located in the Rajmahal Hills, which form a broad northeast-southwest arch that extends 120 miles (190 kilometers) from the Ganges almost to Dumka. They reach an elevation of 1,861 feet (567 meters) and are home to the Sauria Paharia tribe. The valleys are cultivated by tribal Santals.
- Rajmahal, India, ranked fifth among the most polluted cities in the world. The current AQI in Chandannagar, India, is 314, which is severely polluted.Â
- Did you know this? Breathing the air in this location is as harmful as smoking 3.8 cigarettes a day.
- Risk of Asthma symptoms is High when AQI is Severe (200-500).Â
- The current PM2.5 concentration in Rajmahal is 121µg/m³.
- AQI in Dum Dum is 1.13 times above than in West Bengal.
6) Halisar, India
- Hisar, sometimes known as Hissar or halisar, is the administrative seat of Hisar district in Haryana state, northeastern India. It is located 164 kilometers (102 miles) west of New Delhi, India’s capital, and has been recognized as a counter-magnet city for the National Capital Region’s development as an alternative growth center to Delhi.
- Halisar, India, ranked sixth among the most polluted cities in the world. The current AQI in Chandannagar, India, is 313, which is severely polluted.Â
- Did you know this? Breathing the air in this location is as harmful as smoking 3.8 cigarettes a day.
- Risk of Asthma symptoms is High when AQI is Severe (200-500).Â
- The current PM2.5 concentration in Halisar is 121µg/m³.
- AQI in Dum Dum is 1.13 times above than in West Bengal.
7) Balurghat, India
- Balurghat is a city and municipality in West Bengal, India. It is the district headquarters for the Dakshin Dinajpur district. It is one of the key cities connected by National Highway 512. The Atrai River flows through the city.
- Balurghat, India, ranked seventh among the most polluted cities in the world. The current AQI in Chandannagar, India, is 313, which is severely polluted.Â
- Did you know this? Breathing the air in this location is as harmful as smoking 3.8 cigarettes a day.
- Risk of Asthma symptoms is High when AQI is Severe (200-500).Â
- The current PM2.5 concentration in Balurghat is 121µg/m³
8) Naihati, India
- Naihati is a city and municipality in North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, India. It falls within the jurisdiction of the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA).
- Naihati Municipality, formed in 1869, is one of the oldest municipalities in the North 24 Parganas area. It is the birthplace of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, the author of India’s national song Vande Mataram, among other notable people.
- Naihati, India, ranked eighth among the most polluted cities in the world. The current AQI in Chandannagar, India, is 313, which is severely polluted.Â
- Did you know this? Breathing the air in this location is as harmful as smoking 3.8 cigarettes a day.
- Risk of Asthma symptoms is High when AQI is Severe (200-500).Â
- The current PM2.5 concentration in Naihati is 121µg/m³
9) Bhadreswar, India
- Bhadreswar is a city and municipality in the Hooghly district of West Bengal. It is part of the territory governed by the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority.
- Bhadreswar is located at 22.82°N and 88.35°E. It has an average elevation of 2 m (6 ft). It is situated along the Hooghly River. It is one of the most picturesque sites in the Hooghly District.
- Bhadreswar, India, ranked nine among the most polluted cities in the world. The current AQI in Chandannagar, India, is 313, which is severely polluted.Â
- Did you know this? Breathing the air in this location is as harmful as smoking 3.8 cigarettes a day.
- Risk of Asthma symptoms is High when AQI is Severe (200-500).Â
- The current PM2.5 concentration in Bhadreswar is 121µg/m³
10) Hugli, India
- Hooghly is a district in West Bengal, India. It can also be spelled Hoogli or Hugli. The district is named for the Hooghly River. The district headquarters are in Hooghly-Chinsurah (Chunchura). There are four subdivisions: Chinsurah Sadar, Srirampore, Chandannagore, and Arambagh.
- Hugli, India, ranked ten among the most polluted cities in the world. The current AQI in Chandannagar, India, is 312, which is severely polluted.Â
- Did you know this? Breathing the air in this location is as harmful as smoking 3.7 cigarettes a day.
- Risk of Asthma symptoms is High when AQI is Severe (200-500).Â
- The current PM2.5 concentration in Hugli is 120µg/m
Hey there! The data we’re analyzing was gathered in real-time on december 04th, 2024, through the AQI Bulletin of CPCB and real-time IQAir. It’s a snapshot of that specific day, which means the numbers can fluctuate daily. So, while this gives us a solid glimpse into the situation on that particular day, remember that tomorrow’s data might tell a slightly different story. Real-time data can be quite dynamic.Â
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
- Chad
- Kuwait
- India
- Pakistan
- Egypt
- Mali
- Rwanda
- United Arab Emirates
- Laos
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 Bali in India. 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
- India
- PakistanÂ
- Bangladesh
- Tajikistan
- Burkina Faso
The most polluted country in the world is India.
The second-most polluted city in the world is Pakistan, with an AQI Â of nearly 1,600, which is considered to be severely polluted.Â
The three cleanest countries in the world, known for their high environmental performance and low pollution levels, are typically:
- Iceland
- Estonia
- Finland
With an EPI Score of 75.7, Estonia 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, India is cited as Asia's dirtiest country in 2024 terms of air pollution, with particularly high levels of particulate matter (PM2.5).
According to the Indore Madhya Pradesh, 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.
Bali, Rajasthan is cited as the dirtiest city in India regarding air pollution, with extremely high levels of PM2.5 and PM10.
