GUWAHATI: Guwahati city in the Northeast state of Assam, has ascended to the second position on the list of the world’s most polluted cities, as revealed by the 2023 World Air Quality Report by IQAir.
Guwahati city’s heightened pollution levels stem from diverse factors, notably escalating construction activities leading to heightened dust pollution and a surge in vehicular traffic.
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Guwahati in Assam documented an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 105.4, surpassing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended levels by more than tenfold.
Meanwhile, Begusarai in Bihar claims the top spot as the most polluted city globally, with Delhi, Mullanpur, and Lahore in Pakistan following closely behind in the top five.
Alarmingly, nine out of ten cities in the world’s most polluted cities ranking hail from India, with a staggering 42 Indian cities making it to the top 50.
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This stark reality underscores grave concerns regarding air quality in India, positioning the nation as the third most polluted globally.
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The report sheds light on the severe health implications of air pollution, highlighting its status as the most significant environmental threat to human health.
With an estimated one in every nine deaths worldwide attributed to air pollution, the detrimental effects are undeniable.
Exposure to PM2.5 air pollution exacerbates various health conditions such as asthma, cancer, stroke, and lung disease.
Furthermore, it can impair cognitive development in children, contribute to mental health issues, and worsen existing illnesses, including diabetes.
These findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address air pollution and safeguard public health.