La atmospheric pollution affects more than 8 out of 10 citizens in the world. And the situation continues to deteriorate, specifically in emerging countries. On May 12, the World Health Organization published a broad overview of the air quality in an urban environment. This new database covers 3.000 cities located in 103 countries, practically doubling the volume of the previous study published in 2014.
Globally, the concentration levels of fine particles in urban areas they have increased by 8% over the last 5 years. If the situation is more or less controllable in rich countries, air pollution worsens in developing countries.
The maximum threshold set by the World Health Organization is 20 micrograms per cubic meter for the mean annual concentration of fine particles PM10 in the air, a value widely exceeded in most urban areas of emerging countries. For example, the most polluted city in the world is no longer New Delhi, and is now Peshawar, in Pakistan, where the concentration level reaches 540 micrograms per cubic meter, an alarming figure that carries with it serious consequences for the health of its inhabitants.
Peshawar, the most polluted city in the world
Today, in almost all cities with more than 100.000 inhabitants in low- and middle-income countries, pollution levels far exceed the threshold set by the WHO. In addition, the figures show a worrying increase in places such as Pakistan, Afghanistan and India, regions that are home to some of the most polluted cities on the planet.
In Pakistan, the economic capital, Karachi, and the city of Rawalpindi, The air is barely breathable. The situation is similar in Afghanistan, especially in Kabul y Mazar-e-Sharif. India also stands out with cities such as Raipur y allahabad, both with alarming levels of suspended particles around 229 micrograms per cubic meter in New Delhi.
Several factors contribute to the increase in pollution in these areas, such as the type of industry, the proximity of urban areas to industrial areas without adequate regulations, as well as the dependence on fossil fuels for both energy and transportation systems.
The impact of pollution on health
According to the WHO, air pollution is estimated to be responsible for more than 4 million premature deaths each year worldwide. The most common diseases associated with prolonged exposure to air pollution include: Chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, lung disease, heart disease and strokeIn fact, the WHO considers air pollution to be one of the main risks to public health globally.
In addition, prolonged exposure to fine particles (PM10 y PM2.5) can penetrate deep into the lungs and thus enter the bloodstream, which is associated with an increase in mortality from lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Ultrafine particles, which are even smaller in size, are particularly dangerous due to their ability to cross cell membranes.
The most polluted cities
Some of the cities that currently have the highest levels of air pollution are:
- Peshawar (Pakistan) – 540 µg/m³
- Kabul (Afghanistan) – 390 µg/m³
- Raipur (India) – 305 µg/m³
- Karachi (Pakistan) – 295 µg/m³
- Delhi (India) – 260 µg/m³
- Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) – 370 µg/m³
In addition to the aforementioned Peshawar, other cities exceed 350 micrograms per cubic meter of fine particles, which places their inhabitants in a critical situation in terms of health. On the Asian continent, the Gulf regions, such as Saudi Arabia, also face extremely high levels of pollution, affecting millions of inhabitants in cities such as Riad y al jubail.
Transport and industrial emissions as main sources
La urban air pollution is considerably aggravated by human activity. The Transport with gasoline and diesel vehicles It is responsible for a large part of polluting emissions, as it releases large quantities of Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter. Likewise, the industries In developing countries, many of which do not have strict regulations, contribute significantly to the problem.
Another notable factor is the use of heating fuels and cooking at home, a persistent problem in developed and emerging countries. Fuels such as coal, firewood or kerosene generate harmful emissions which affect not only the outside air but also the air inside homes.
Solutions and measures to improve air quality
To improve air quality in these emerging cities and reduce the impact on public health, the WHO proposes comprehensive measures such as reducing industrial emissions through the use of Clean technologies and more efficient, as well as the promotion of renewable energy.
Also, Smart Cities are emerging as a technological solution to monitor air quality in real time. These cities, by installing distributed sensors, can monitor air pollution levels and provide accurate data. The data collected allows authorities to make preventive decisions and adjust urban policies based on emissions behavior.
Finally, governments should encourage the use of electric or hybrid vehicles and promote the public transport, as has been done in some cities in Europe. The implementation of low emission zones (ZBE) and promote the creation of green areas that contribute to improving air quality.
Air pollution in emerging cities remains a serious problem affecting both public health and the environment. To combat this challenge, it is crucial to adopt measures at the government, industry and citizen levels, implementing strategies based on clean energy and non-polluting transport.