The world's largest cities suffer from extremely dangerous levels of toxic air, with a global study ofcity air pollution killing more than 1.7 million people
The latest State Of Global Air report, released Wednesday by the Health Effects Institute (HEI), a US-based research institute, found that more than 7,000 cities around the world It is targeted. It is the first time that we have focused solely on urban air pollution, as populations are reportedly expected to concentrate in urban areas in the next few years.
We analyzed two major pollutants in the world—the much-talked-about particulate matter (PM2.5) and the lesser-known nitrogen dioxide—to assess their impact on public health.
In 2019, 7,239 cities included in the analysis accounted for 1.7 million deaths related to PM2.5 exposure, with the largest health impacts among cities in Asia, Africa, Eastern and Central Europe. impact was seen.
PM2.5 levels continue to be highly toxic worldwide, with cities in South Asia once again topping the charts for the worst air quality.
The Indian cities of Delhi and Kolkata have the highest concentrations of PM2.5, followed by Kano in Nigeria, Lima in Peru and Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh.
His two cities in China,Beijing and Chengdu, had the highest death rates from diseases caused by toxic air. The Chinese capital reported 124 deaths per 100,000 population in 2019, which could be attributed to his PM2.5 pollution, while Chengdu reported 118 deaths. increase.
The Ukrainian cities of Kyiv and Kharkov took his 114 dead, followed by Jakarta.
Meanwhile, Delhi and Kolkata are among the 10 worst affected cities, reporting her 106 and her 99 fatalities.
Global Hotspots of Air Pollution Based on PM2.5 Levels
(Screengrab/World Air Report State)
The United Nations estimates that by 2050 nearly 68% of the world's population will live in cities and breathe urban air.
- Income countries where PM2.5 levels remain high.
“As cities around the world grow rapidly, the impact of air pollution on the health of its inhabitants is also expected to increase, highlighting the importance of early intervention to reduce exposure and protect public health. It is emphasized," said Pallavi Pant, HEI. A senior scientist who oversaw the publication of the report.
It is also the first time scientists have looked at the concentration of nitrogen dioxide in the atmosphere, and not just particulate matter (PM2.5), which is making the air more toxic. PM2.5 pollution tends to be more prominent in known hotspots around the world, but this study notes the scarcity of data available for nitrogen dioxide on this global scale.
Ajay Nagpure, Head of Air Quality at WRI India, said that PM2. , pointed out that other harmful contaminants should also be included.
“Not only NO2 [nitrogen dioxide] but also other pollutants such as O3 [ozone] and carbon monoxide need to be focused. I think we need to take a holistic approach to formulate and implement air pollution control policies,” he said.
Nitrogen dioxide is produced primarily from the combustion of fuels, often in older vehicles, power plants, industrial facilities, and cooking and heating of homes.
Because urban dwellers tend to live near busy roads with heavy traffic, they are often exposed to higher nitrogen dioxide pollution than residents in rural areas.
In 2019, approximately 86% of the more than 7,000 cities included in this report exceeded the WHO guideline of 10 µg/m3 for nitrogen dioxide, affecting approximately 2.6 billion people. rice field.
Global Hotspots of Nitrogen Dioxide Pollution
(Screengrab/State of World Aviation Report)
Using data from 2010 to 2019, the report also found markedly different global patterns of exposure to the two major air pollutants.
Exposure to particulate, or PM2.5, pollution tends to be higher in cities in low- and middle-income countries, whereas exposure to nitrogen dioxide is expensive even in cities. - and middle-income countries.
However, efforts to improve air quality through traffic control interventions have paid off in many cities, particularly in high-income countries, the report shows.
For example, London's Ultra Low Emission Zone initiative reduced nitrogen dioxide by 36% in the first six months after its launch in 2019.
China had as many as 18 nitrogen dioxide exposures from 2010 to 2019. Cities with the greatest increases in nitrogen dioxide exposure over this period included cities in low- and middle-income countries in North Africa and the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.
Lack of data on NO2 also remains a challenge, as few countries have installed official air quality monitoring stations to check NO2 levels. According to the report, of the 20 cities that experienced the largest increase in nitrogen dioxide levels between 2010 and 2019, only five had official air quality monitoring stations and only five measured NO2. Only 3 of them.
The report also highlights the need to reduce pollution at its source, with the help of new technologies, by promoting green and sustainable transport and expanding access to clean energy. points out that there is an increase in
