Particle.news
Download on the App Store
9 ARTICLES
·
last mo.

Asia Dominates List of World's Most Polluted Cities in 2024

A new report reveals that 19 of the 20 most polluted cities globally are in Asia, with India leading the rankings, while only seven countries met WHO air quality standards.

N'Djamena, Chad, was ranked as the most polluted city in 2024.
FILE - A motorcyclist drives past sprinklers that spray water in hopes of settling dust and calming air pollution in New Delhi, Feb. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup, File)
Vehicles drive amid high levels of air pollution in Hanoi, Vietnam, on March 5, 2024.
A man feeds seagulls on the smog engulfed waters of the Yamuna river in New Delhi, India, on November 14, 2024.

Overview

  • India accounts for 13 of the top 20 most polluted cities, including Byrnihat, which recorded the highest PM2.5 concentration of 128 micrograms per cubic meter in 2024.
  • Chad and Bangladesh were identified as the world's most polluted countries, with PM2.5 levels more than 15 times higher than WHO guidelines.
  • The U.S. State Department has ceased sharing global air quality data from its embassies, raising concerns about monitoring gaps, particularly in Africa and Asia.
  • Only 17% of cities worldwide met WHO air quality standards, with just seven countries including Australia, New Zealand, and Iceland achieving compliance.
  • Air pollution remains a significant health threat, reducing life expectancy, causing millions of deaths annually, and exacerbating climate change-related issues.