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According to the World Air Quality Report 2023, Delhi has the worst air quality of any capital city in the World.

About World Air Quality Report 2023

• Published By: It is Published  by IQAir, a Swiss Organization.
• Data Collection: It collected data from 7,812 places throughout 134 countries, regions, and territories.

Key Highlights of the World Air Quality Report 2023

• Poor Quality Air: India has the third poorest air quality, with an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter.
  • India performed better than only two of its neighbors, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
• Most Polluted Country: While Bangladesh remained the world’s most polluted country, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 79.9 micrograms per cubic meter, Pakistan ranked second, with a level of 73.7.
• Most Polluted City of India and World: For the fourth year in a row, Delhi was named the world’s most polluted capital city.
  • Begusarai, Bihar, has been described as the world’s most polluted urban area.
  • Ten of the top eleven most polluted cities in the world are from India, with the other being Lahore, Pakistan.
• PM 2.5 Levels in India: 96 percent of India’s population experiences  PM2.5 levels that are more than seven times the WHO annual PM2.5 recommendation.

What is Particulate Matter?

• About: It is made up of solid particles and liquid droplets in the air.
• Production: PM can originate in a variety of locations. In general, any form of burning or dust-generating activity produces PM. 
• Variation in Sizes: PM comes in a variety of sizes. 
  • Larger particles are typically derived from the soil. 
  • Smaller particles result from the combustion of fossil fuels, such as petrol in automobiles, diesel in trucks, and coal used in power plants.
• Categories of Particulate Matter: Primary PM is directly emitted by a smokestack or tailpipe. Chemical processes cause secondary PM to form downwind of gaseous emission sources.
• PM 2.5: PM 2.5 is an atmospheric particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, which is approximately 3% the diameter of a human hair.
• Effects of PM 2.5: PM 2.5 particles are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and even reach the bloodstream, and prolonged exposure can result in lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and other chronic health problems.

News Source: The Hindu