CNN
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Air pollution levels worldwide reached unhealthy levels in 2021, according to a new report by IQAir, a company that monitors global air quality.
The report found that the average annual air pollution in every country and 97% of cities exceeded the guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for air quality, which are meant to protect public health and aid in the development of government regulations.
Out of the 6,475 cities analyzed, only 222 met the WHO’s air quality standards. Three territories that met the guidelines were New Caledonia (a French territory), Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands (both US territories).
Countries such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh had the worst air pollution levels, exceeding the guidelines by at least 10 times. On the other hand, Scandinavian countries, Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United Kingdom were among the best countries for air quality, with pollution levels exceeding the guidelines by only 1 to 2 times.
In the United States, air pollution exceeded WHO guidelines by 2 to 3 times in 2021.
Glory Dolphin Hammes, CEO of IQAir North America, emphasized the need for governments to take action to reduce air pollution globally, as fine particulate matter (PM2.5) causes numerous premature deaths each year. She urged governments to establish stricter national air quality standards and promote policies that improve air quality.
IQAir analyzed over 6,000 cities and ranked them based on average annual air quality. The cities in blue met the WHO PM2.5 guideline, while the cities in purple exceeded the guideline by over 10 times. For an interactive map, visit IQAir.
This report is the first to use WHO’s new annual air pollution guidelines, which set the acceptable concentration of PM2.5 at 5 micrograms per cubic meter, down from the previous 10 micrograms per cubic meter.
PM2.5 is a small but harmful pollutant that can enter the bloodstream when inhaled. It is primarily emitted by burning fossil fuels, dust storms, and wildfires. Exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to various health issues, including asthma, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses.
Air pollution-related deaths number in the millions each year. WHO estimated that around 4.2 million premature deaths in 2016 were linked to PM2.5 pollution. If the 2021 guidelines had been implemented that year, nearly 3.3 million pollution-related deaths could have been prevented.
IQAir analyzed pollution-monitoring stations in 6,475 cities across 117 countries, regions, and territories.
In the United States, air pollution levels rose in 2021 compared to 2020. Los Angeles remained the most polluted city out of the 2,400 US cities analyzed, although it did see a 6% decrease in pollution. Atlanta and Minneapolis experienced significant increases in pollution.
According to the report, the reliance on fossil fuels, the severity of wildfires, and fluctuating enforcement of the Clean Air Act have contributed to air pollution in the United States.
Fossil fuel-powered transportation, energy production, and wildfires were identified as the main sources of pollution in the US. These factors disproportionately affect vulnerable and marginalized communities.
Climate change-induced wildfires significantly impacted air quality in the United States in 2021. The report highlighted fires such as the Caldor and Dixie fires in California, as well as the Bootleg Fire in Oregon, which resulted in hazardous air pollution that reached the East Coast.
China, despite being one of the countries with the worst air pollution, showed improvements in air quality in 2021. More than half of the Chinese cities analyzed in the report experienced lower pollution levels compared to the previous year. Beijing, the capital city, has witnessed a five-year trend of improving air quality due to policies that reduce polluting industries.
The report also highlighted the concerning fact that the Amazon Rainforest, which plays a crucial role in combating climate change, emitted more carbon dioxide than it absorbed in 2021. Deforestation and wildfires have not only polluted the air but also contributed to climate change.
A climate change epidemiologist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Tarik Benmarhnia, mentioned that relying solely on monitoring stations may lead to gaps in these reports. He suggested considering alternative techniques and expanding monitoring networks to improve accuracy.
The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has stated in its 2021 report that reducing the use of fossil fuels not only slows global warming but also improves air quality and public health.
The IQAir report serves as a reminder of the urgency to transition away from fossil fuels, says Glory Dolphin Hammes. She emphasizes the need for renewable energy and calls for immediate action to reverse the current trajectory of global warming before it becomes irreversible.
The report also shed light on inequalities in air quality data, particularly in developing countries in Africa, South America, and the Middle East, where monitoring stations are scarce. The lack of data in these regions hampers efforts to tackle air pollution effectively.
The report included the African country of Chad for the first time due to improvements in its monitoring network. Chad had the second-highest air pollution levels in the world last year, second only to Bangladesh.
Tarik Benmarhnia, a climate change epidemiologist, suggested that relying solely on monitoring stations can lead to blind spots in air quality reports. He highlighted the importance of considering alternative techniques and expanding monitoring networks for more accurate data.
The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 2021 report emphasized that reducing fossil fuel usage would not only slow global warming but also improve air quality and public health.
Glory Dolphin Hammes reiterated the importance of transitioning away from fossil fuels, emphasizing the need for renewable energy and urgent action to reverse the devastating impact of global warming on air pollution.
