The World Air Quality Report 2023, published by the Swiss organization IQAir, sheds light on concerning trends in air pollution levels, particularly in densely populated regions.Indias Worsening Air Quality TrendsIndias air quality ranking has seen a decline, now standing as the third worst out of 134 countries assessed in 2023. This marks a significant deterioration from the previous year, when India was ranked eighth globally for air pollution. The report emphasises the growing severity of air quality challenges faced by the country.Delhis Persistent Air Quality StrugglesMeanwhile, Delhi continues to grapple with severe air pollution issues, maintaining its reputation as the capital city with the poorest air quality. PM2.5 levels in Delhi spiked from 89.1 micrograms per cubic meter in 2022 to 92.7 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023, reflecting a concerning trend of worsening air quality.Emergence as Global Pollution EpicenterBegusarai, a metropolitan area in Bihar, has shockingly emerged as the worlds most polluted urban center, boasting an average PM2.5 concentration of 118.9 micrograms per cubic meter. This stark revelation contrasts with the citys absence from the 2022 rankings, underscoring the rapid escalation of pollution levels.National Health ConcernsThe report underscores the widespread impact of air pollution on public health in India, with an estimated 1.36 billion people exposed to PM2.5 concentrations exceeding the World Health Organizations recommended annual guideline. Alarmingly, 1.33 billion individuals, constituting 96% of the Indian population, face PM2.5 levels exceeding the WHO guideline by more than sevenfold.Global Perspective on Air PollutionGlobally, air pollution remains a critical environmental threat, contributing to an estimated one in every nine deaths worldwide. The World Health Organization attributes around seven million premature deaths annually to air pollution-related causes, highlighting the urgent need for robust mitigation measures.
