Most Polluted Capital: The World Air Quality Report 2023, published by the Swiss organization IQAir, sheds light on the severe air pollution crisis gripping India. Delhi, the capital city, and Begusarai in Bihar have emerged as focal points of concern, reflecting the nation’s deteriorating air quality.
According to the report, India ranked third in terms of poor air quality out of 134 countries surveyed, with an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter. This alarming statistic places India behind Bangladesh and Pakistan, highlighting the urgent need for action to address air pollution.
Begusarai has garnered global attention as the most polluted metropolitan area, boasting an average PM2.5 concentration of 118.9 micrograms per cubic meter. Shockingly, the city was absent from the 2022 rankings, indicating a rapid deterioration in air quality within a short span.
Delhi’s plight remains dire, with PM2.5 levels escalating from 89.1 micrograms per cubic meter in 2022 to 92.7 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023. The national capital retains its notorious title as the most polluted capital city globally for the fourth consecutive year since 2018.
The report underscores the staggering scale of exposure to hazardous PM2.5 concentrations in India. A staggering 1.36 billion people are exposed to PM2.5 levels exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended annual guideline level, with approximately 96% of the Indian population facing levels seven times higher than the WHO guideline.
City-level data paints a grim picture, revealing that over 66% of India’s cities report an annual average PM2.5 concentration surpassing 35 micrograms per cubic meter. These alarming findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to combat air pollution and safeguard public health.
IQAir compiled the report using data from over 30,000 regulatory air quality monitoring stations and low-cost air quality sensors worldwide. The inclusion of 7,821 locations across 134 countries, regions, and territories in the 2023 report highlights the growing global awareness and concern regarding air pollution and its adverse impacts.
