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Countries with the worst air quality in 2023

2024-03-19 11:19:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Countries with the worst air quality in 2023

Pakistan remained one of the world's three most polluted countries in 2023, after Bangladesh and India replaced Chad and Iran, with particulate matter about 15 times higher than the level recommended by the World Health Organization, data released by the World Health Organization showed. on tuesday.

Average concentrations of PM2.5 - tiny airborne particles that damage the lungs - reached 79.9 micrograms per cubic meter in Bangladesh in 2023 and 73.7 micrograms in Pakistan. WHO recommends no more than 5 micrograms.

"Because of the climate conditions and geography (in South Asia), you get this range of PM2.5 concentrations that just skyrocket because the pollution has nowhere to go," said Christi Chester Schroeder, science manager for air quality at IQAir. "Additionally there are factors such as agricultural practices, industry and population density," she added.

About 20% of premature deaths in Bangladesh are attributed to air pollution, and health care-related costs amount to 4%-5% of the country's GDP.

Air pollution in India also increased last year, with PM2.5 levels around 11 times higher than the WHO standard. India's New Delhi was the worst-performing capital, at 92.7 micrograms.

China also saw a 6.3% increase in PM2.5 to 32.5 micrograms last year, after five consecutive annual declines.

Only Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius and New Zealand met the WHO standards in 2023.

The IQAir report was based on data from more than 30,000 monitoring stations in 134 countries and regions.

Chad, the world's most polluted country in 2022, was excluded from the 2023 lists due to data problems. Iran and Sudan were also removed from the 2023 list./ CNA 





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