HQ Team
December 16, 2024: The 2023 World Air Quality Report, released by Swiss air quality technology company IQAir, revealed that only seven countries worldwide met the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safe air pollution levels. These countries are Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius, and New Zealand.
Of the 134 countries analyzed, 124 were found to exceed the safe levels of PM2.5 (fine particulate matter), which is linked to various health issues including heart disease, lung disease, and increased risks of depression and anxiety.
The report compiled data from over 30,000 monitoring stations, revealing that 92.5% of locations exceeded the WHO’s annual guideline of 5 µg/m³ for PM2.5. Notably, Bangladesh emerged as the most polluted country with an average PM2.5 level of 79.9 µg/m³, followed by Pakistan at 73.7 µg/m³ and India at 54.4 µg/m³, marking levels more than ten times higher than WHO recommendations.
In Europe, Iceland recorded the cleanest air with a PM2.5 level of 4 µg/m³, while countries like Lithuania and Italy fell into the yellow category, indicating pollution levels up to three times above safe standards. The report highlighted that despite some improvements in air quality across Europe—54% of cities classified as green in 2023 compared to 39% in 2022—many regions still grapple with severe pollution challenges.
The success of the seven countries with safe air underscores the importance of proactive policies and innovative practices in reducing air pollution. For example, Iceland generates all its electricity from renewable sources, while Finland prioritizes sustainable urban transport and extensive cycling infrastructure.
Estonia has made significant strides in transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy, achieving a 57% reduction in net emissions since 1990.
Key pollutants and their limits
Particulate matter is categorized into PM10 and PM2.5, with PM2.5 being particularly hazardous due to its ability to penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. The WHO recommends an annual average limit of 10 µg/m³ for PM2.5 and 20 µg/m³ for PM10.
Nitrogen dioxide, primarily produced from vehicle emissions, has an annual guideline limit of 40 µg/m³.
These standards are critical for protecting public health, as exposure to elevated levels of these pollutants is linked to a range of health issues, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and even premature death.
The findings underscore the critical need for enhanced air quality monitoring and data accessibility, particularly in underrepresented regions such as Africa, where a significant portion of the population lacks access to crucial air quality information. Frank Hammes, CEO of IQAir, emphasized that “a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a universal human right,” calling for urgent action to address this global health crisis.
As scientists continue to warn about the severe health impacts associated with poor air quality, including premature deaths estimated at seven million annually, it is clear that addressing air pollution is essential for protecting public health worldwide.
