According to a recent survey by IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company, Guwahati is the second most polluted city in the world, which is concerning.
The study painted a dire picture, showing that the city will have an average annual concentration of dangerous PM2.5 concentrations in 2023 of over 105.4, exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) standards by a factor of ten. This information was reported in foreign news on Tuesday.
Numerous construction projects, an increase in the number of vehicles on the road, and dust particles have all been linked to the city’s rising pollution levels.
Bihar’s Begusarai disputed the title of most polluted city in the world in 2023, claiming an alarming yearly PM2.5 concentration of 118.9, which is a startling 23 times higher than WHO guidelines. Delhi and Mullanpur in Punjab are ranked closely below Begusarai and Guwahati in the IQAir rankings, demonstrating the seriousness of the pollution situation in Indian cities.
The study also showed that India was home to an astounding 83 of the 100 most polluted cities in the world. These cities more than tenfold exceeded the WHO’s recommendations for air quality.
The disturbing reality that 1.3 billion Indians must live with is revealed by the report’s findings, which show that 96% of the population breathes air that is seven times higher than WHO limits.
The emphasis on PM2.5, or fine particulate matter, which is linked to negative health effects, is especially alarming. When inhaled, PM2.5 can even reach the bloodstream and pierce deeply into lung tissue.
Numerous health problems, like as asthma, lung and heart disorders, cancer, and other respiratory ailments have been linked to this small particulate matter. As the situation in air quality worsens, immediate action is required.
