10 most polluted cities in the world

According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2010 about 223,000 people worldwide died of lung cancer caused by exposure to air pollution. More than half of these deaths occurred in China and elsewhere in East Asia. WHO has published a list of the 10 most polluted cities in the world. It includes four Iranian cities, three Pakistani, two Indian, one Mongolian and one city in Botswana.

Pollution is measured by the concentration of micrograms (mcg) of particulate matter in a cubic meter of air, which is less than 10 micrometers, which is approximately one-seventh the width of a human hair.

The Middle East and North Africa are the most polluted regions in the world, with an annual average of over 130 µg / m3, followed by Southeast Asia with 100 µg / m3. According to the WHO, there are dozens of the worst cities with a high level of clogging.

10. Lahore, Pakistan

Lahore is the most beautiful, famous and ancient city of Pakistan with centuries of history, and it is also one of the dirtiest cities in the world. As the capital of the Punjab province, it is the industrial, cultural and transport hub of northeastern Pakistan.

The textile, food, chemical, metal-working industries and mechanical engineering are well-developed, making themselves felt with large harmful emissions into the atmosphere. With an average annual rate of 200 μg / m3 as of 2003, it was ranked as the third most dangerous city in Pakistan and the tenth in the world.

9. Kanpur, India

An important center of mechanical engineering, textile, electronic, metallurgical and chemical industries, also known for its leather industry. It is one of the most littered cities. According to 2008 data, with an annual average of 209 μg / m3, it was ranked second in India and ninth worldwide.

8. Yasuj, Iran

With an average annual level of 215 μg / m3 as of 2009, Yasuj was ranked as the fourth most polluted city in Iran and eighth in the world.

7. Gaborone, Botswana

With an annual average of 216 µg / m3, according to 2005 information, Garbone is ranked as the most polluted city in its country and is ranked seventh in the world.

6. Peshawar, Pakistan

With an annual average of 219 μg / m3 as of 2003, Peshawar was ranked as the second most polluted city in Pakistan and the sixth in the world.

5. Kermanshah, Iran

The administrative center is the city of Kermanshah. Five million people are poisoned every day by inhaling the emissions that pollute the environment in developing countries. With an average annual value of 229 μg / m3, Kermanshah was rated as the third most polluted city in Iran and the fifth in the world.

4a. Quetta, Pakistan

According to the report, 25% of all deaths in developing countries are associated with environmental factors. Quetta is ranked fourth on the world list. With an annual average of 251 μg / m3, it is rated as the most dangerous and polluted city in Pakistan.

4b. Ludhiana, India

Shared fourth with Quetta. It is a large industrial center of northern India, but the main disadvantage of this city is littering. Ludhiana was rated as the most polluted city in India and also the fourth in the world, with an average annual pollution level of 251 μg / m3 as of 2008.

The Ministry of the Environment imposed a ban on industrial emissions in January 2010. The ban was lifted in February 2011, but the ministry instructed the industry to prepare a plan to test and reduce environmental degradation.

3. Senedej, Iran

The western city of Iran is ranked third on the list of particularly polluted cities. It is the capital of the Kurdistan province with an average annual level of 254 μg / m3 as of 2009.

2. Ulan Bator, Mongolia

The capital of Mongolia, according to a report by the World Health Organization, is the second most polluted city in the world, with an annual average of 279 μg / m3 as of 2008. According to a study prepared by the Institute of Public Health, in Ulaanbaatar, in the 4 years from 2004 to 2008, the number of people with respiratory diseases increased by 45%.

1. Ahvaz, Iran

The city in western Iran ranks first in the list among all cities with an average annual level of 372 μg / m3 as of 2009. It houses an important center of the metallurgical industry.

Five million people are poisoned daily by environmental pollution. According to UN health authorities, more than 2 million people die each year due to the inhalation of contaminated particles. Inhalation of mechanical particles 10 micrometers in diameter can cause cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, asthma and other respiratory diseases.

They are emitted when gasoline and diesel fuel is burned in cars and motorcycles, as well as when wood, coal, fuel, animal waste, heating and cooking are burned. Weather conditions can also significantly affect the concentration of these particles. Other causes of pollution are gases such as ozone, sulfur dioxide and nitric oxide, which are officially recognized as potential irritants to the respiratory tract and mucous membranes.

The Chinese city of Shanghai, known to be one of the most polluted cities in the world, may soon be on this list. The Indonesian capital, Jakarta, which is also ranked among the most polluted places in the world according to data for 2008, is also very close to prohibitively high levels, the level peaked at 180 μg / m3, which is about 38 μg / m3 on an annual average.

Beijing, which is frequently in the news due to frequent smog, has an average of 121 μg / m3. Among other polluted cities, one can distinguish Delhi with a figure of 198 μg / m3, Lucknow 186 μg / m3, Indore 174 μg / m3, Mumbai 132 μg / m3, Lanzhou 15 μg / m3, Xining 141 μg / m3, Urumqi 150 μg / m3, Jinan 123 μg / m3 - all of which exceed the maximum pollution threshold.