Pollution has overtaken many cities in the world. People are gasping for breath. Clean air has become a rare commodity in many parts of the world.
Here is the list of the world’s most polluted cities
Delhi
Delhi emerged as the world’s most populated city. As per the reports, Delhi has the highest average level of fine PM2.5 among the world’s most polluted cities and has reported an average annual exposure of 110 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3).
Kolkata
Kolkatta is second on the list of the world’s most polluted cities Kolkata also reported an average annual exposure of 84 µg/m3.
Kano, Nigeria
Kano in Nigeria recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 83.6 µg/m3. This means those living in the said cities are exposed to PM 2.5 levels, which are several-fold higher than the global averages.
Lima, Peru
Peru’s Lima recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 73.2 µg/m3. As per the WHO’s Air Quality Database, reportedly there are only 117 nations currently that have ground-level monitoring systems to track PM2.5, while only 74 nations are monitoring NO2 levels.
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Dhaka ranks fifth in the polluted cities list with an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 71.4 µg/m3. Reportedly, only four cities, and none in India, met the WHO annual PM 2.5 Air Quality Guideline of 5 µg/m3 in 2019.
Jakarta, Indonesia
Jakarta recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 67.3 µg/m3.
Lagos, Nigeria
Lagos in Nigeria recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 66.9 µg/m3.
Karachi, Pakistan
Karachi recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 63.6 µg/m3, and thereby, grabbed the seventh position in the list of the world’s most polluted cities.
Beijing, China
Beijing recorded an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 55 µg/m3. With this record, it has grabbed the 9th position in the list.
Accra, Ghana
Accra in Ghana ranks at the 10th position in the list of most polluted cities in the world and reported an average annual exposure of 51.9 µg/m3.
