The World's Most Polluted Cities

[naveen mishra]

paris has leapt into the headlines over an alert for dangerous atmospheric particles, yet it does not ordinarily count among the world's most polluted cities.

Here are the top 10 cities for which data is available, according to a 2011 World Health Organisation (WHO) report.

The pollution is measured as the microgram (mcg) concentration per cubic meter of air of particulate matter smaller than 10 micrometers (PM10) -- about a seventh of the width of a human hair.

The figures are the average for the year. Seasonal spikes can be many times higher.

The WHO's health guidelines are maximum exposure of 20 mcg/m3, measured as an annual average.

1) Ahvaz, Iran 372 mcg/m3 (2009 data)

2) Ulan Bator, Mongolia 279 mcg/m3 (2008 data)

3) Sanandaj, Iran 254 mcg/m3 (2009 data)

4) Ludhiana, India (2008 data)

and Quetta, Pakistan (2003/4 data)

tied at 251 mcg/m3

5) Kermanshah, Iran 229 mcg/m3 (2009 data)

6) Peshawar, Pakistan 219 mcg/m3 (2003/4 data)

7) Gaborone, Botswana 216 mcg/m3 (2005 data)

8) Yasuj, Iran 215 mcg/m3 (2009 data)

9) Kanpur, India 209 mcg/m3 (2008 data)

10) Lahore, Pakistan 200 mcg/m3 (2003/4 data)

Paris, whose levels hit a high of 180 mcg/m3 last week, has an annual mean level of 38 mcg/m3 according to 2008 data.

Beijing, which has also been in the news over smothering smog, is listed with an annual mean figure of 121 mcg/m3.

The Middle East and North Africa is the world's most polluted region with an annual mean level well over 130 mcg/m3, followed by Southeast Asia with a level near 100 mcg/m3.

The UN's health body estimates more than two million people die every year from breathing indoor and outdoor particle pollution.

Particles are released by burning petrol and diesel for car and motorcycle combustion, or coal, fuel wood, charcoal and animal waste for heating and cooking.

Weather conditions can drastically affect pollution levels, as in Paris where particles were trapped by a high pressure system causing sunny days and cold nights, with little wind.

Particulate pollution is also measured by levels of particles called PM2.5.

Measuring less than 2.5 mcg, or about a 30th the width of a human hair, these can penetrate deep into the lungs and are often made from more toxic materials than PM10.

Other pollution yardsticks are gases -- ozone, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide that are potential irritants of the airways or eyes.

SOURCE: Exposure: City Level Data by Country (Exposure: City level - Data by country

The World's Most Polluted Cities — Naharnet

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

Interesting, after all the endless propaganda against China regarding pollution, none of our cities made the top 10.

Despite being the manufacturing hub of the whole world, with everyone's pollution being "outsourced" to our factories, in order to produce the products that they use.

 

[raptor22]

Iranian cities are listed mainly due to an increase of dust originating from Iraq's dried ponds and parts of Jordan, Syria, and Saudi Arabia which even once reached Tehran.

 

[Manvantaratruti]

Interesting, after all the endless propaganda against China regarding pollution, none of our cities made the top 10.

Despite being the manufacturing hub of the whole world, with everyone's pollution being "outsourced" to our factories, in order to produce the products that they use.

I am surprised too...... but how reliable is this data I wonder.

 

[tranquilium]

Interesting, after all the endless propaganda against China regarding pollution, none of our cities made the top 10.

Despite being the manufacturing hub of the whole world, with everyone's pollution being "outsourced" to our factories, in order to produce the products that they use.

I am surprised too...... but how reliable is this data I wonder.

A big part of Beijing's smog is seasonal low pressure front trapping air. If it is not winter time, then Beijing doesn't have nearly as much pollution. Also, medias only focuses on PM2.5 instead of the more accurate measurement of both PM2.5 and PM10. Beijing's pollution is mainly vehicle based, thus it doesn't have much on the PM10 front. Beijing used to have dust storm which would have bumped up PM10, but recent Chinese progress in reversing desertification reduced that quite a bit.