Delhi Tops List as World’s Most Polluted Capital Again

According to the latest World Air Quality Report by the Swiss organization IQAir, Delhi has once again secured the dubious distinction of being the world’s most polluted capital city. In the report, Bihar’s Begusarai emerged as the most polluted metropolitan area globally, while Delhi’s air quality was identified as the poorest among capital cities. The average annual PM2.5 concentration in Delhi reached 92.7 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023, marking a worsening trend from the previous year’s 89.1 micrograms per cubic meter. This alarming data underscores the severity of the air pollution crisis in India, where an estimated 1.36 billion people experience PM2.5 concentrations exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended annual guideline level.

The report also reveals a concerning trend of air pollution across India, with more than 66 percent of the country’s cities reporting annual PM2.5 averages greater than 35 micrograms per cubic meter. The health implications of such pollution levels are dire, contributing to approximately one in every nine deaths worldwide, as per estimates. Exposure to PM2.5 air pollution is linked to various health conditions, including asthma, cancer, stroke, and lung disease, while also posing risks to cognitive development in children and exacerbating existing illnesses like diabetes. Urgent action is needed to address this pressing environmental and public health challenge in India and beyond.