Amid increasing concerns about pollution, just seven countries comply with WHO air quality standards.
Chad and Bangladesh Rank as the Most Polluted Countries Worldwide; Data Deficiencies Affect Global Air Quality Oversight
Data from Swiss air quality organization IQAir demonstrated that in 2024, only seven countries met the air quality standards established by the World Health Organization (WHO). These exceptions included Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Estonia, and Iceland, while countries like Chad and Bangladesh experienced severe pollution, with smog levels exceeding WHO guidelines by more than 15 times.
Chad ranked as the most polluted nation, with average PM2.5 concentrations soaring to 91.8 micrograms per cubic meter, significantly higher than the WHO's recommended limit of 5 micrograms. India, in fifth place, showed modest improvements but still had 12 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world. The closure of the U.S. air quality monitoring program has heightened concerns, particularly in developing countries that depended on U.S. embassy sensors for pollution information.
Furthermore, climate change is intensifying pollution issues, with extreme weather events like forest fires contributing to smog formation. The loss of dependable pollution data in over 30 countries due to the discontinuation of the U.S. program poses a considerable challenge to worldwide efforts to tackle air pollution.
Chad ranked as the most polluted nation, with average PM2.5 concentrations soaring to 91.8 micrograms per cubic meter, significantly higher than the WHO's recommended limit of 5 micrograms. India, in fifth place, showed modest improvements but still had 12 of the 20 most polluted cities in the world. The closure of the U.S. air quality monitoring program has heightened concerns, particularly in developing countries that depended on U.S. embassy sensors for pollution information.
Furthermore, climate change is intensifying pollution issues, with extreme weather events like forest fires contributing to smog formation. The loss of dependable pollution data in over 30 countries due to the discontinuation of the U.S. program poses a considerable challenge to worldwide efforts to tackle air pollution.