India ranked 5th most polluted country : IQAir's 7th Annual World Air Quality Report (2024)

 

 

1. In March 2025,  7th Annual World Air Quality Report (2024) is Published by IQAir, a Swiss technology company that works on improving air quality globally through data and innovative solutions.
2. Data Source: The report uses data from over 40,000 monitoring stations in 138 countries, tracking PM 2.5 levels (particulate matter of less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter).
   
   
   

India’s Air Pollution Ranking
 

1. Global Rank: India is ranked 5th most polluted country in the world as of 2024.
   1. PM 2.5 Level: India’s average PM 2.5 concentration is 50.6 µg/m³, which is more than 10 times higher than the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³.
   2. This means the air in India is significantly more polluted than the levels considered safe by the World Health Organization (WHO).
   3. Comparison to WHO Guidelines: The levels of PM 2.5 in India still far exceed the WHO's safe air quality standards, which highlight the severity of air pollution in the country.
   4. 2023 Ranking: India was ranked 3rd.
   5. But there was a slight improvement in air quality in 2024 with a 7% drop in PM 2.5 levels (from 54.4 µg/m³ in 2023 to 50.6 µg/m³ in 2024).
   6. 2022 ranking : India was ranked 8th
   7. 2021 ranking : India was ranked 5th

 

Global Air Pollution Rankings:

 

The report also compares air pollution levels in different countries globally, showing which countries have the highest concentrations of PM 2.5:
 

1. Chad: 91.8 µg/m³, 18 times higher than the WHO limit.
2. Bangladesh: 78.0 µg/m³, 15 times higher than the WHO limit.
3. Pakistan: 73.7 µg/m³, 14 times higher than the WHO limit.
4. Democratic Republic of the Congo: 58.2 µg/m³, 11 times higher than the WHO limit.
5. India: 50.6 µg/m³, 10 times higher than the WHO limit.

 

Do You Know?   13 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in India, with Byrnihat topping the list. PM 2.5 is one of the smallest and less than 2.5 micrometers but most dangerous pollutants, coming from sources like fossil fuel combustion. It can enter the lungs and bloodstream, leading to cardiovascular diseases, respiratory issues, and even cancer. It is harmful even at low levels IQAir’s report used data from over 40,000 monitoring stations across 138 countries. Only 7 countries (Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Estonia, Grenada, Iceland, New Zealand) met the WHO guidelines for PM 2.5 levels. Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Congo, and India are the 5 most polluted countries. Road transport is a significant source of pollution, contributing to 12% of India’s CO2 emissions from energy use. As demand for private vehicles increases, pollution could rise further by 2050 if not controlled.

 

Pollution in Indian Cities
 

1. Byrnihat, Meghalaya: This city has the highest pollution in the world, with PM 2.5 levels of 128.2 µg/m³. The pollution is primarily caused by industrial activities and agricultural burning in the region.
2. New Delhi: The capital city of India continues to be the most polluted capital city globally, with a PM 2.5 concentration of 91.8 µg/m³.
    

Key Cities with High Pollution in India
 

1. Other major polluted cities in India include: Mullanpur (Punjab), Faridabad, Loni, Gurgaon, Greater Noida, Muzaffarnagar, Bhiwadi, Central Delhi
2. These cities experience severe air pollution, contributing to major health issues among their populations.

 

What is PM 2.5?
 

1. PM 2.5 refers to particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, making them extremely fine and able to penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream.
2.  These particles come from a variety of sources, such as vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, agricultural burning, and construction activities.

 

Sources of Air Pollution in India
 

1. Vehicular Emissions:
   1. Urban areas like Delhi suffer from heavy vehicular emissions due to traffic congestion, poor fuel quality, and the lack of stringent pollution control measures.
   2. Cars, buses, and trucks emit high amounts of PM 2.5, worsening air quality.
2. Industrial Emissions:
   1. Industrial hubs and factories release large amounts of particulate matter into the air.
   2. These emissions come from factories, power plants, and construction sites, contributing heavily to the pollution in cities and industrial areas.
3. Agricultural Burning:
   1. In states like Punjab and Haryana, stubble burning (the burning of crop residue) is a major contributor to air pollution, particularly during the winter months.
   2. This practice contributes up to 60% of the air pollution in the northern regions during colder months.
4. Construction Dust:
   1. As cities rapidly expand, construction activities release large amounts of dust into the atmosphere, adding to the already high levels of particulate matter in the air.

 

Health Impacts of PM 2.5:
 

1. Respiratory Diseases: PM 2.5 is associated with conditions like asthma, chronic bronchitis, and other lung diseases.
2. Cardiovascular Diseases: It increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular problems.
3. Cancer: Long-term exposure to high levels of PM 2.5 can lead to an increased risk of cancer, particularly lung cancer.
4. Premature Death: High levels of air pollution are linked to a reduced life expectancy, particularly in regions with severe pollution.
5. Vulnerable Populations: Children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing health conditions are particularly at risk.

 

Global Pollution Trends
 

1. WHO Guidelines: 91.3% of countries worldwide exceeded the WHO’s annual PM 2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m³.
2. Health Risks: According to WHO, air pollution contributes to 7 million deaths annually, due to diseases like lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
3. Regions with Clean Air: Only a few regions have clean air, with Oceania (Australia, New Zealand) being the cleanest, as 57% of cities in these countries meet WHO air quality standards.
4. Regions with Severe Pollution: East Asia, Southeast Asia, and West Asia do not have any cities meeting WHO standards, showing that air pollution is a global challenge.

 

Government Actions to Combat Air Pollution in India
 

1. National Clean Air Programme (NCAP):
   1. Launched by the Indian government, the NCAP aims to reduce air pollution by 20-30% by 2024.
   2. The program includes both national-level and local action plans tailored to address pollution challenges specific to different regions and cities.
       
2. Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP):
   1. Introduced for Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), GRAP is a graded system where measures are activated based on the severity of pollution:
      • Stage 1: Bans on coal and firewood usage.
      • Stage 2: Construction and demolition restrictions.
      • Stages 3-4: Bans on vehicles, restrictions on industrial activities, temporary school closures, etc.
         
3. Promotion of Electric Vehicles (EVs):
   1. To reduce pollution from vehicles, the government is promoting electric vehicles (EVs).
   2. Also offering subsidies and incentives for the adoption of EVs, as well as support for EV infrastructure like charging stations.
       
4. Stubble Burning Control:
   1. Subsidies and awareness programs aim to reduce stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana.
   2. The government is encouraging farmers to use alternatives like machinery to handle crop residue instead of burning it.
       
5. Supreme Court Ruling (October 2024):
   1. The Supreme Court of India declared that clean air is a fundamental right and called for stricter enforcement of anti-burning laws in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
       
6. Delhi Vehicle Ban (2025):
   1. Starting from April 1, 2025, Delhi will impose a ban on vehicles older than 15 years from refueling at petrol stations to reduce pollution from outdated, more polluting vehicles.
       

 

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