Air Pollution: Delhi most polluted city in the world, deaths due to bad air

The State of Global Air Initiative of the US-based research organization Health Effects Institute (HEI) has conducted a study on the state of air pollution around the world, in which this information has come to the fore.

Pollution is becoming dangerous for the people. Due to air pollution in many cities around the world, people are getting many dangerous diseases including cancer . People are also dying due to pollution. Delhi and Kolkata are the most polluted cities in India. Delhi ranks first in terms of the highest level of PM 2.5 among the most populous cities in the world. After this, Kolkata is in third place with Kano city of Nigeria. A report has been released on the status of pollution around the world, in which this information has come to the fore.

According to a study by the State of Global Air Initiative of the US-based research organization Health Effects Institute (HEI), Delhi and Kolkata recorded 106 and 99 deaths per 1 lakh population in 2019 due to pollution. That is, these deaths were due to the increased level of PM 2.5. In 2019, the PM 2.5 level in Delhi was 110 micrograms per cubic metre, which is the highest among the most populous cities in the world. It is followed by Kolkata (84 micrograms per cubic metre). The report presents data on air pollution exposure and related health effects in 7,239 cities (with a minimum population of 50,000) from 2010 to 2019.

PM 2.5 is dangerous

PM2.5 are microscopic particles (2.5 microns or less in diameter) present in the atmosphere, which enter the body through inhalation and cause inflammation in the lungs and windpipe. The report states that the health burden of PM2.5 has increased rapidly in cities in Southeast Asia. This study gives the status of air pollution in 7,239 cities. It said that all 20 cities with the highest increase in mortality due to PM 2.5 from 2010 to 2019 are located in Southeast Asia, including 19 cities in Indonesia and one in Malaysia.

Out of all the 20 cities that registered an increase of over 1.7 million deaths due to PM2.5 in 2019, 7,239 cities, with the biggest health impacts in Asia, Africa and Eastern and Central Europe.

PM2.5 pollution highest in cities in middle-income countries

The report states that the geographical patterns of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution are quite different from the patterns of PM2.5 pollution. PM2.5 pollution is highest in cities in low- and middle-income countries, while NO2 levels are higher in large cities in countries of all income levels. Almost all the most populous cities (81 out of 103 cities) reported NO2 exposures that exceed the global average of 15.5 micrograms per cubic metre.

PM2.5 causes many diseases

According to doctors, due to high levels of PM2.5, lung cancer and many types of respiratory diseases can occur. Due to this there is also a risk of eye infection and heart disease.