Bangladesh's air quality is worst in the world

Bangladesh, Pakistan and India have emerged as some of the world's most polluted countries in 2023

Bangladesh, Pakistan and India have emerged as some of the world's most polluted countries in 2023, as per a new report by IQAir, a Swiss air-monitoring organisation.

According to recent data, these nations have recorded particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations approximately 15 times higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended levels, spotlighting a growing crisis in air quality that demands immediate attention.

The WHO sets a stringent guideline for PM2.5 levels at no more than 5 micrograms per cubic meter, yet Bangladesh and Pakistan reported alarming figures of 79.9 and 73.7 micrograms respectively last year.

Despite global efforts to improve air quality, the situation appears to be deteriorating in South Asia.

Interestingly, while South Asia grapples with the challenges, a handful of countries including Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius, and New Zealand have successfully met the WHO's air quality standards, showcasing the possibility of achieving cleaner air through concerted efforts.

The findings, derived from data collected by IQAir from over 30,000 monitoring stations across 134 countries, points to the urgent need for global cooperation and investment in air quality monitoring and improvement initiatives.