Advertisement
A recent report by the Swiss organization IQAir has shed light on India’s troubling air quality situation, with Bihar’s Begusarai emerging as the “most polluted metropolitan area in 2023”.
The report, titled the World Air Quality Report 2023, ranks India as the third worst polluted country globally, trailing behind Bangladesh and Pakistan.
In a recent revelation, Bihar’s Begusarai claimed the unenviable title of the “most polluted metropolitan area in 2023,” according to the World Air Quality Report 2023 published by the Swiss organization IQAir. The report sheds light on concerning statistics regarding air pollution levels globally, with India ranking third worst out of 134 countries.
The report highlights India’s position as the third worst polluted country, trailing behind Bangladesh and Pakistan, in terms of average annual PM2.5 concentration. This revelation underscores the urgent need for concerted efforts to tackle the persistent air pollution crisis plaguing the nation.
A staggering 96% of India’s population resides in areas where air quality exceeds WHO guidelines by seven times, according to the report. This alarming statistic underscores the widespread impact of air pollution on public health across the country.
The report also reveals significant findings from across the globe, including the identification of Columbus, Ohio, as the “most polluted major city” in the United States. Additionally, it highlights the continued underrepresentation of Africa in air quality data and the unprecedented recognition of Canada as the most polluted country in Northern America.
PM2.5, or particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 microns, has been linked to various health hazards, including increased rates of heart attack and stroke. The report emphasizes the severe impacts of even modest concentrations of PM2.5 pollution and the importance of adhering to WHO guidelines for mitigating its adverse effects.
