India Ranks As the Third Most Polluted Country Globally
In 2023 India stood third, just after Bangladesh and Pakistan, as the most polluted country globally. Although there may be geopolitical differences between India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, they are now in the same boat in consideration of dealing with geo-pollution. Now, India has emerged as the third most polluted nation in the world, measuring an average population of fine particulate matter (PM) 2.5. It contains 54.4 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3) as reported by a Swiss air quality technology company.
The report came on March 19, 2024, at the publication, 2023 of World Air Quality Report.
The sixth edition of the World Air Quality Report analysed and reported PM2.5 air quality data received from 7,812 cities including 134 countries, states, regions, and territories.
According to the report, India has been the third worst air quality country in 2023 out of 134 countries just after Bangladesh (reported 79.9 micrograms per cubic metre) and Pakistan (reported 73.7 micrograms per cubic metre) with an average annual pollution of PM2.5 concentration of 54.4 micrograms per cubic metre.
Size comparisons for PM particles (photo credit: www.epa.gov)
In 2022, India stood as the eighth most polluted country in the world with an average pollution- PM2.5 concentration of 53.3 micrograms per cubic metre.
The 2023 report revealed a list of the top 50 most polluted cities in the world. Surprisingly 42 cities out of 50 cities were from India. Begusarai was identified as the world’s most populated metropolitan area located in Bihar. Guwahati and Delhi followed Begusarai.
As per the report of World Air Quality Report, Begusarai had an average pollution- PM 2.5 concentration of 118.9 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023 which is a huge jump from its 2022 record- an average of 19.7 micrograms per cubic metre. Delhi is consistently fighting to curb air pollution. On the other hand, Begusarai and Guwahati did not take the matter seriously.
