Top 10 Most Polluted Cities in the World: Problems and Solutions [Updated 2024]

How does it feel to inhale pure air in the morning? You feel refreshing, right? But what will you do for fresh air if you are living in one of the most polluted cities in the world?

Air pollution has become a crisis for all countries. It has become a menace for each and every government to manage. Air pollution is mainly measured by the Air Quality Index (AQI). Severe air pollution causes damage to the respiratory system of every person, be it diseased or healthy.

Every country makes efforts to reduce air pollution, but certain cities in every country contribute to most of the air pollution. PM 2.5 and PM 10 are harmful pollutants that put an individual’s life at stake and have increased everywhere.

This blog covers all the aspects of the Most Polluted Cities in the World :

1. Top Polluted Cities
2. Causes of Pollution
3. Health Impacts
4. Economic and Social Impacts
5. Mitigation Strategies
6. Successful case studies

AQI has been divided into 6 categories that indicate the air quality.

1. Good- 0-50 μg/m3 (meter cube)
2. Satisfactory- 51-100 μg/m3
3. Moderately Poor- 101-200? μg/m3
4. Poor- 201-300?? μg/m3
5. Very Poor- 301-400? μg/m3
6. Severe- 401- 500? μg/m3

Here is the list of the 10 Most Polluted Cities in the World

Note: The data is collected from various sources, and keeps changing daily.

Global Causes of Pollution: Understanding the Key Contributors

Understanding the causes clarifies why the most polluted cities in the world get choked. There are three key reasons for global air pollution which are industrial, vehicle, wildfires and household emissions.

1. Industrial Emissions

Industrial emissions significantly degrade air quality in many cities. Specifically, metallurgical plants release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. These facilities produce metals like steel and aluminum but at a cost.

For instance, they emit particulate matter (PM) that can harm respiratory health. Consequently, respiratory diseases and cardiovascular issues increase in surrounding areas. Additionally, metallurgical operations produce sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). These chemicals lead to acid rain, further impacting the environment and human health.

Moreover, high-temperature processes in these plants also release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). When VOCs react with other pollutants, they form ground-level ozone, worsening air quality. Thus, it is crucial to address industrial emissions to combat pollution effectively.

1. Vehicle Emissions

Vehicle emissions are another major source of air pollution. In fact, transportation is a leading contributor to urban air quality issues. Road vehicles emit nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. Therefore, cities with high traffic experience elevated pollution levels.

As a result, densely populated areas face severe air quality challenges. The growing number of vehicles exacerbates the problem, causing increased emissions. Moreover, this pollution contributes to smog formation, which poses health risks to residents. Vulnerable populations, such as children and the elderly, are particularly affected.

1. Other Sources of Pollution

Other sources also contribute to pollution, including wildfires and agricultural activities. For instance, wildfires release carbon monoxide and particulate matter into the air. This not only worsens air quality but also causes respiratory issues for nearby communities.

Agricultural activities add to pollution through ammonia emissions. Livestock operations and chemical use in farming contribute significantly to air quality degradation. Furthermore, population density worsens these issues, as more people increase demand for food production.

Read Here: https://www.businessapac.com/most-polluted-cities-in-the-world/