Bangladesh and Chad named world‍‍`s most polluted countries in 2024

Bangladesh and Chad have been ranked as the countries with the most polluted air in 2024, according to data from global air quality monitoring organization IQAir. 

The air pollution levels in these two nations were found to be 15 times higher than the limits recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

A report by Reuters revealed that only seven countries worldwide managed to meet the WHO’s air quality guidelines last year. 

These countries include Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Estonia, and Iceland. 

The report also highlighted growing concerns about air pollution monitoring, especially after the U.S. stopped its support for many developing countries.

For years, many developing nations have relied on air quality data collected by sensors installed at U.S. embassies and consulates.

However, due to budget cuts, the U.S. Department of State recently ended this monitoring program. 

Along with that, 17 years of air quality data, including information on Chad, was removed from the U.S. government’s air quality website.

Kristi Chester-Schroeder, a manager at IQAir, pointed out that while most countries have alternative ways to gather air quality information, the end of this program will have a major impact on Africa, particularly Chad, where the U.S. data was the only available source of air quality monitoring.

Chad, which was previously excluded from the 2023 rankings due to data limitations, had been the most polluted country in 2022.

Pollution there was mainly caused by dust from the Sahara desert and unregulated crop burning.

In 2024, Chad‍‍`s air quality continued to be concerning, with an average PM2.5 level (fine particulate matter) of 91.8 micrograms per cubic meter, slightly higher than in 2022. 

According to WHO guidelines, PM2.5 levels should not exceed 5 micrograms per cubic meter annually, but only 17% of the world’s cities met this standard last year.

India, Pakistan, and Congo were also named among the world’s most polluted countries. 

India ranked fifth in 2024, with PM2.5 levels averaging 50.6 micrograms per cubic meter, a 7% drop from the previous year. 

Despite this improvement, India still accounted for 12 of the 20 most polluted cities globally. 

Byrnihat, an industrial town in northeastern India, recorded the highest PM2.5 level at 128 micrograms per cubic meter in 2024.

Experts are warning that climate change is making the air pollution situation worse. 

Chester-Schroeder of IQAir noted that rising temperatures are leading to more frequent and severe wildfires in regions like Southeast Asia and South America, contributing to higher levels of air pollution.

Krista Hasenkopf, director of the University of Chicago‍‍`s Clean Air Project, expressed concern about the impact of the U.S. halting its air quality monitoring efforts. 

“At least 34 countries will lose access to reliable pollution data now that the U.S. has stopped monitoring. In cities where the U.S. monitored air quality, people’s life expectancy improved, and even the risk allowances for U.S. diplomats were reduced. This shows that the U.S. had a stake in this effort. Its end is a major setback not just for the U.S. but for the world,” she said.