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As of 2024, New Delhi, India, holds the unfortunate title of the world’s most polluted city. The air quality index (AQI) there has reached hazardous levels, often exceeding 500 on the scale, with PM2.5 concentrations well above safe limits.
This extreme pollution primarily results from agricultural burning, vehicle emissions, and industrial output, all of which combine with unfavorable weather patterns to trap smog over the city.
Although pollution restrictions exist, cultural festivities like Diwali frequently add to the pollution load as fireworks are set off despite restrictions.
New Delhi has faced close competition from other highly polluted cities, especially in South Asia, including Lahore in Pakistan, Dhaka in Bangladesh, and various other urban centers in northern India.
All of these cities struggle with PM2.5 levels far beyond what is considered safe, impacting millions of residents’ health and contributing to high rates of respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and other pollution-related health issues.
This ongoing crisis has drawn attention globally, with health experts urging more stringent policies and pollution control measures. However, balancing economic growth with environmental health remains a significant challenge, especially as local economies depend on industries contributing to the air quality problem.
Sources:
• Agencia EFE
• IQAir
The primary reasons for New Delhi’s extreme air pollution levels are:
1. Agricultural Crop Burning: Farmers in neighboring states like Punjab and Haryana often burn crop stubble after harvest, releasing large amounts of smoke that drift into the city. This seasonal practice, particularly from October to November, contributes massively to the air pollution in northern India.
2. Vehicle Emissions: As one of the most densely populated cities in the world, New Delhi experiences heavy traffic, with millions of vehicles contributing to high levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter. Efforts to restrict older, more polluting vehicles are in place, but rapid urbanization continues to strain these measures.
3. Industrial Output and Construction Dust: Factories, construction sites, and brick kilns around the city release a large amount of dust and toxic pollutants, adding to the particulate matter in the air. Construction is a major factor, as dust is continually released from building sites across the city.
4. Fireworks and Festivities: During celebrations like Diwali, large-scale fireworks, despite bans, release high amounts of fine particulate matter into the air. These spikes exacerbate the city’s already critical pollution levels, particularly during the winter months when stagnant weather conditions trap pollutants close to the ground.
5. Weather and Geographic Factors: The city’s geography worsens the pollution problem, as Delhi’s location in a basin means pollutants are trapped in the lower atmosphere during winter months. This effect is compounded by low wind speeds and cooler temperatures, which prevent pollutants from dispersing.
Addressing these causes requires a multi-faceted approach, including improved agricultural practices, stricter vehicle emissions standards, enhanced construction regulations, and public awareness campaigns on pollution reduction.
Attached is a news article regarding the most polluted city in the world new deli
https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/delhi-aqi-today-air-pollution-latest-b2646187.html
Article written and configured by Christopher Stanley
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