Just seven nations comply with WHO air quality standards in light of increasing worries about pollution.
Chad and Bangladesh rank as the most polluted countries globally; deficiencies in data affect worldwide air quality assessments.
Data from the Swiss air quality organization IQAir indicated that in 2024, only seven nations met the air quality standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO). The countries that achieved this were Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Estonia, and Iceland, while others like Chad and Bangladesh experienced dangerously high pollution levels, with smog concentrations exceeding WHO guidelines by more than 15 times.
Chad ranked as the most polluted country, with average PM2.5 levels reaching 91.8 micrograms per cubic meter, well above the WHO recommendation of 5 micrograms. India, which placed fifth, displayed minor improvements but still had 12 of the top 20 most polluted cities worldwide. The discontinuation of the U.S. air quality monitoring program has heightened concerns, particularly among developing countries that depended on U.S. embassy sensors for pollution information.
Moreover, climate change is worsening pollution, with extreme weather events like forest fires contributing to smog levels. The loss of dependable pollution data in over 30 countries due to the shutdown of the U.S. program represents a significant hurdle in the global fight against air pollution.
Chad ranked as the most polluted country, with average PM2.5 levels reaching 91.8 micrograms per cubic meter, well above the WHO recommendation of 5 micrograms. India, which placed fifth, displayed minor improvements but still had 12 of the top 20 most polluted cities worldwide. The discontinuation of the U.S. air quality monitoring program has heightened concerns, particularly among developing countries that depended on U.S. embassy sensors for pollution information.
Moreover, climate change is worsening pollution, with extreme weather events like forest fires contributing to smog levels. The loss of dependable pollution data in over 30 countries due to the shutdown of the U.S. program represents a significant hurdle in the global fight against air pollution.
