Greenpeace and IQAir AirVisual have released a study titled “2018 World Air Quality Report: Region & City PM 2.5 Ranking.” It presents air quality data aggregrated through the IQAir AirVisual platform in 2018, containing a subset of information related to the measure of PM 2.5 from ground-based stations (government monitoring networks and validated air quality monitors) with high data availability. This report is an accompaniment to an extended online interactive display of the world’s most polluted cities, allowing real-time exploration of air quality.
PM 2.5 refers to particulate matter (ambient airborne particles) that measure up to 2.5 microns in size, with a rage of chemical constitution and sources. The report views PM 2.5 as a representative measure of air pollution because it is widely regarded as the air pollutant with the maximum health impact amongst those commonly measured and affects most people globally. Its small size enables it to penetrate deep into the respiratory system and thereby, the human body, causing a plethora of short-term and long-term effects. Common sources include combustion (vehicle engines, wood, coal, industry) and through other pollutants reacting in the atmosphere.
Global overview
Rankings of Top 20 cities
Amongst countries weighted by population, Bangladesh emerged as the most polluted country on an average, closely followed by Pakistan and India. The report studied 3000 cities, out of which 64% exceeded the annual exposure guideline for particulate matter, established by WHO. 100% cities in the Middle East and Africa, 99% cities in South Asia, 95% in Southeast Asia and 89% in East Asia exceeded these targets. India, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh feature in the Top 50 cities. Kuwait, Dubai and Manama exceed the WHO guidelines by over 500%.
Data released by the World Bank states that air pollution is the deadliest form of pollution and is the 4th largest contributor to premature deaths worldwide. Measured in terms of lost labour income, this costs the global economy roughly US$225 billion.According to Laura Tuck, Vice President for Sustainable Development at the World Bank, “air pollution is a challenge that threatens basic human welfare, damages natural and physical capital, and constrains economic growth. We hope this study will translate the cost of premature deaths into an economic language that resonates with policy makers so that more resources will be devoted to improving air quality. By supporting healthier cities and investments in cleaner sources of energy, we can reduce dangerous emissions, slow climate change, and most importantly save lives.”
The WHO estimates that while 9 out of 10 people globally are breathing unsafe and polluted air, large parts of the world still lack access to real-time monitoring and data related to air quality. Japan, Mainland China and the United States have the most extensive networks globally. This large variation in real-time monitoring networks across countries and regions must be addressed. The governments can quickly set up low-cost monitoring sensors in order to accelerate access to information related to air quality.
Real-time public air quality information is essential for the empowerment of populations to effectively respond to prevalent conditions and improve human health. However, more importantly, it provides the cornerstone for generating public awareness and driving action to combat air pollution through long-term action.
The information and images within the article have been sourced from here.
India Outbound
March 6, 2019
source https://indiaoutbound.org/2018-world-air-quality-report-region-city-pm-2-5-ranking/
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