Breathing deeply in some cities around the world is life-threatening, and literally. And the size of the breast does not affect this at all. But other indicators, such as the amount of PM 10 and PM 2.5 in the air, affect.
These are solid particles and droplets (10 and 2.5 micrometers in diameter, respectively). How can such crumbs harm a person? The fact is that PM 10 and PM 2.5 can penetrate the biological barriers of the body, entering the lungs and bloodstream. This can lead to heart attack, respiratory disease, increased blood clotting, and even permanent DNA mutations. The higher the density of these particles in the air, the higher the health risk.
After examining the latest air pollution ratings from various projects such as the World Pollution Index, Berkeley Earth, AirVisual and others, we have compiled a ranking of the most polluted cities in 2020.
Before you start reading the rating, let us clarify that according to WHO standards, the permissible average daily level of PM 2.5 in the air is 25 μg / m³ per day, and the average annual level is 10 μg / m³. For PM10, the daily average is 50 µg / m³, and the average annual rate should not exceed 20 µg / m³.
10. Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
The main sources of pollution in the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic are thermal power plants, vehicles and waste. And the relative isolation of the Chui valley and the peculiarities of the climate and physical and geographical features of the location of the city have led to the fact that a large amount of pollution accumulates in the air of Bishkek.
According to the AirVisual website, the average PM2.5 particle content in Bishkek is 103.1 µg / m³, while previously it reached 364.9 µg / m³. This, albeit for a short time, made the city the leader of the dirtiest megacities.
9. Krasnoyarsk, Russia
AirVisual placed the Russian city in the top ten list of the dirtiest cities in 2020.
Residents of Krasnoyarsk are no strangers to the "black sky regime", which has been periodically introduced in the city since 2012. Due to problems with dispersion of harmful impurities in the atmosphere, pollutants accumulate in the ambient air.
The phenomenon of "black sky" is associated with the geographical location of Krasnoyarsk, an abundance of industries and usually occurs in frosty or hot, calm weather. At this time, townspeople complain of a sore throat, a burning smell, watery eyes and red eyes. And eco-activists even ask not to let preschool children go outside during the "black sky".
Ranked the cleanest cities in Russia in 2019 Krasnoyarsk ranked fifth from the bottom, losing the title of the dirtiest city to Chelyabinsk.
8. Canberra, Australia
For several weeks in a row, the sun has been shining an eerie red behind the smoke-shrouded sky in the Australian metropolis, which now can not be attributed to the most environmentally friendly places in the world... This is due to the wildfires raging in Australia.
Canberra, along with Australia's two other major cities, Sydney and Melbourne, are rated as the most polluted cities in the world, although some environmentalists argue that industrial pollutants in places like New Delhi are more dangerous than wood smoke.
7. Dhaka, Bangladesh
Air pollution in the Bangladeshi capital is getting worse year after year thanks to the numerous brick kiln industries surrounding the city. Most of these production facilities do not meet emission standards.
The situation is further exacerbated by emissions from older vehicles such as rickshaws, private construction projects, and open burning of garbage.
6. Bamenda, Cameroon
In Cameroon, the number of deaths due to air pollution is around 7,000 per year. The level of PM2.5 in Bamenda's air is 13 times higher than the recommended level of the World Health Organization.
It is to this city that Fair Planet, an organization dedicated to the protection of the biosphere and the promotion of the Sustainable Development Goals, has given the "dirty" palm.
But, unlike most other metropolitan areas, in Bamenda, the main factors that pollute the atmosphere are deforestation and climate change.
5. Kanpur, India
It shouldn't surprise you that most of the Dirty Five cities on this list are in India. The cities in this country are densely populated with a large number of industrial zones that are located near residential areas.
With a high population and a lack of strict waste management measures from the city government, Kanpur is listed as one of the most polluted cities in the world.
The annual level of PM2.5 in it is 173 µg / m³. This is almost 17 times higher than the figure recommended by the World Health Organization.
4. Delhi, India
Berkeley Earth ranked this city first in its ranking of the dirtiest cities in the world. According to this website, over the past 365 days, the PM2.5 level in Delhi was 102.3 μg / m³.
Emissions from vehicles and industrial plants are the main contributors to air pollution not only in Delhi but also in other Indian cities.
3. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
The population of the richest city in the country and the main shopping center in the region has doubled in the past 10 years. Such a rapid growth in the number of citizens and intensive development of infrastructure made the indicators of atmospheric pollution "skyrocket". PM10 in Dar es Salaam reaches 290 µg / m³, and PM2.5 reaches 165 µg / m³.
Tanzania, like India, has one of the highest mortality rates attributed to household and air pollution - 51.4 per 100,000, according to WHO.
2. New Delhi, India
Of all Indian cities, New Delhi is the most polluted. PM10 is 292 µg / m³ and PM2.5 µg / m³.
India has one of the highest mortality rates attributed to household and air pollution - 133.7 per 100,000, according to WHO. Most deaths are due to asthma and other respiratory diseases.
1. Luanda, Angola
Luanda has become Africa's economic superpower in the past decade. The growth rate of the capital of Angola was so rapid that millions of people flocked to it in search of work. This made Luanda one of the most expensive cities in the world.
One of the side effects of Luanda's rapid economic growth has been worsening air quality. In 2019, the World Pollution Index recognized this city as the most polluted in the world. Its PM10 level is 332 µg / m³ and the PM2.5 level is 182 µg / m³.