Context:
Recently, ‘World Air Quality Report 2023’ was released by Swiss air quality monitoring body IQAir.
Key findings of Report:
- The top 5 (out of 134) most polluted countries in 2023 – Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Tajikistan and Burkina Faso
- 7 countries met the WHO PM2.5 annual guideline – Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius, and New Zealand
- Of the top 50 most polluted cities in the world, 42 cities belongs to India
- 9 out of the top 10 most polluted cities in the world belongs to India
- A total of 124 (92.5%) out of 134 countries and regions exceeded the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline value of 5 µg/m3.
Globally Scenario:
- Africa – Remains the most underrepresented continent, with a 3rd of the population still lacking access to air quality data.
- China also saw PM2.5 rise last year, after 5 consecutive annual declines
- French Polynesia – Identified as least polluted country
- Canada – Most polluted country in Northern America, with the region’s 13 most polluted cities located within its borders (For the 1st time in the history)
India Scenario:
- India – Stands 3rd among the polluted countries of the world (India ranked as the 8th country in 2022)
- New Delhi – Ranked as the World’s most Polluted Capital City
- Begusarai (Bihar) – Emerged as the world’s most polluted metropolitan area
According to the WHO, air pollution is responsible for an estimated 7 million premature deaths worldwide every year.
World Air Quality Report 2023:
- An annual air quality analysis that tracks worldwide exposure to unhealthful levels of PM2.5 pollution
- Published by – IQAir
- Data collected from – More than 30,000 air quality monitoring stations across 7,812 locations in 134 countries, territories, and regions which are analyzed by IQAir’s air quality scientists
IQAir:
- A Swiss technology company
- Aim – Empower the individuals, organizations, and governments to improve air quality through information, collaboration, and intervention
Source: Indian Express | IQAir Report
Previous Year Question
In the context of WHO Air Quality Guidelines, consider the following statements:
1. The 24-hour mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 15 μg/m³ and annual mean of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 μg/m³.
2. In a year, the highest levels of ozone pollution occur during the periods of inclement weather.
3. PM10 can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the bloodstream.
4. Excessive ozone in the air can trigger asthma.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) 1, 3 and 4
(b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 2 only
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Statement 2 is not correct:
As ozone concentrations increase above the guideline value, health effects at the population level become increasingly numerous and severe. Such effects can occur in places where concentrations are currently high due to human activities or are elevated during episodes of very hot weather
Statement 3 is not correct:
PM10 particles are small enough to pass through the throat and nose and enter the lungs. PM 2.5 particles are so small they can get deep into the lungs and into the bloodstream.
