Only Seven Countries Meet WHO Air Quality Standards, Study Finds
12:08 PM EDT, March 20, 2024
Only seven countries worldwide meet the air quality standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO). A vast majority of the globe experiences levels of PM2.5 - harmful particles emitted by vehicles and industries - that exceed these standards.
According to research cited by the British newspaper, The Guardian, only seven countries adhere to the World Health Organization's air quality standards, as reported by the Swiss organization IQAir. This company focuses on air quality research and sources its data from over 30,000 monitoring stations across the globe. Out of the 134 countries reviewed in their study, only seven maintain PM2.5 levels within the recommended limits.
PM2.5, or atmospheric aerosols, are considered by the WHO as the most detrimental to human health among all atmospheric pollutants. WHO findings suggest that prolonged exposure to PM2.5 can lead to a reduction in average lifespan. Additionally, short-term exposure to high concentrations of these particles has been linked to increased mortality rates from diseases affecting the respiratory and circulatory systems.
The countries where clean air prevails
The select countries meeting these stringent criteria include Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius, and New Zealand. On the other end of the spectrum, countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan have air pollution levels around 15 times higher than the WHO's recommended limits. India, Tajikistan, and Burkina Faso also struggle with significant air quality issues.
Poland ranks in the lower half
In IQAir's air pollution report, Poland is placed 74th, marking it as exceeding the recommended standards by about threefold. Of the 7,812 cities evaluated, Warsaw is ranked at 2071st.
Challenging air conditions in Vietnam restrict outdoor activities for children
Air pollution has led to a significant lifestyle change in Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, where parents discourage their children from outdoor play, as reported by Reuters. Hanoi is noted as one of the most polluted capitals worldwide. According to WHO, conservative estimates suggest that air pollution is linked to approximately 60,000 deaths annually in Vietnam.
Source: The Guardian, Reuters, IQAir, Wikipedia
