IQAir is a Swiss air quality technology company. The company measures air quality based on the concentration of PM 2.5 fine particulate matter, which is harmful to the lungs. The company's annual surveys are highly reputable and widely cited by researchers and government organizations.
Vehicles navigate through thick fog in Lahore, Pakistan. Photo: Reuters
A report released on Tuesday (March 14) by IQAir revealed that Lahore, Pakistan, is the most polluted city in the world in 2022. Additionally, the report indicated that Chad (in Central Africa) has the worst air quality in the world.
In 2021, Lahore's PM 2.5 levels were 86.5 micrograms/m3. This figure increased to 97.4 micrograms/m3 in 2022, placing Lahore at the top of the list of the world's most polluted cities.
The second most polluted city after Lahore is Hotan – the only Chinese city in the top 20 of the ranking, with PM 2.5 concentrations reaching 94.3 micrograms/m3. Compared to the 2021 index of 101.5 micrograms/m3, it can be seen that Hotan has shown signs of improving air quality.
The next two cities in the ranking are Bhiwadi (92.7) and Delhi (92.6), both of which are cities in India.
Despite having 39 cities in the top 50 most polluted cities in the world, India ranks only 8th in the list of countries with the worst air quality globally. Chad takes the top spot, with a PM 2.5 particulate matter index of 89.7.
Second place goes to Iraq, with a PM 2.5 index of 80.1. Third place is occupied by Pakistan with a PM 2.5 level of 70.9 micrograms/m3, followed by Bahrain with 66.6.
Bangladesh – the country with the worst air quality in 2021 – improved its ranking in 2022 with PM 2.5 levels dropping from 76.9 to 65.8, placing it fifth in the 2022 rankings.
India and Pakistan have the worst air quality in Central and South Asia, with nearly 60% of their populations living in areas where PM2.5 concentrations are at least seven times higher than the World Health Organization's recommended level (maximum 5 micrograms/m3).
The report also stated that globally, one in ten people live in an area with air pollution that negatively impacts their health.
The indices in the ranking above were derived using data from more than 30,000 air quality monitors at over 7,300 locations across 131 countries, territories, and regions.
Hoai Phuong (according to Reuters)
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