Do you live in a polluted city? It is customary to constantly hear from the inhabitants of the world's megacities, such as New York or London, that the atmosphere in the place where they live is polluted, however, which may shock you, the air in these cities is relatively healthy, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In databases, air pollution is measured in micrograms of ultrafine particles (PM10) per cubic meter, which indicates the number of fine harmful particles in the atmosphere of each city, the smallest of which are less than 10 microns - these particles can enter the lungs with the inhaled air, and therefore The amount of ultrafine particles in the atmosphere is an important measure when it comes to health risks. On a WHO scale, New York's air pollution level is about 21 micrograms per cubic meter, up from a world average of 71.
10. Kanpur, India
Kanpur is an industrial city known as "East Manchester", once in which your dreams of green meadows and clear waters are instantly dispelled. According to officially published information from WHO, Kanpur is the second most polluted city in India, with an air pollution level of 209 micrograms per cubic meter. The region is the capital of industrial leather production with a large number of factories and factories. In addition, there are numerous steel mills and other light and heavy industries located in Kanpur. As an economic hub, the region is thriving, but it comes at the price of its environment. The famous river Ganges flows through the city, but, according to experts, the water in it is unsuitable for human consumption with its "pale yellowish" water containing high levels of nitrates. Presumably, this can be avoided by traveling the peninsula.
9. Yasuj, Iran
One of the four largest industrial centers in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Yasuj is an industrial city with a sugar factory and a coal-fired power plant. The level of air pollution in the region is 215 micrograms per cubic meter of air. Moreover, a new oil refinery is planned to be built in Yasuja in the near future, which will only exacerbate the pollution problem. However, despite the existing environmental problems, the city is considered quite beautiful, where, sitting at the foot of the Zagros mountain range, tourists who come here can observe a picturesque waterfall of its own.
8. Gaborone, Botswana
Travel pages on the Internet describe Gaborone as a "young metropolis" with "sparkling hotels". However, nowhere is it mentioned that the level of pollution of the city's atmosphere is 216 micrograms per cubic meter of air. Local experts say that the most polluted air is in May, but closer to September - August the value drops. Imported cars and people who make paraffin plates and even animal dung are recognized as sources of pollution in the metropolis. Gaborone is a popular tourist destination due to its proximity to national parks, but it is best to skip visiting the city at certain times of the year, unless you want to breathe in the exhaust fumes.
7. Peshawar, Pakistan
This Pakistani city is the second most polluted city in the country (219 micrograms per cubic meter of air), overtaking the capital Lahore, which can be found in the eleventh place in the world ranking. 2006 WHO reports showed that the city ranks sixth in the rankings and that the situation is "worsening" despite the government taking action to tackle pollution. Obviously, the measures are ineffective given how polluted the air is. In part, the source of environmental problems is the numerous rickshaws used by the population, which pollute the streets with exhaust gases.
However, the environmental disaster in Peshawar is not only consuming air. The Kabul canal is also heavily polluted, as discarded food containers and other debris quickly fill the canal. In addition, the region was bombed by the Taliban during the war in Afghanistan and used as a refugee camp, which also left a mark. Are the listed facts enough to remove Peshawar from your vacation plans?
6. Kermanshah, Iran
With an air pollution index of 229 micrograms per cubic meter of air, Kermanshah is another Iranian city with a serious pollution problem. The region, which in the recent past was a traditional agricultural center, is rapidly becoming industrialized with 256 production units within the city, including the Kermanshah Oil Refining Company, founded in 1932 by the British. Today, the industrial industry of Kermanshah includes sugar processing, petrochemicals and electrical equipment, all of which suppress the ecology of the region.
But the real pollution problem lies in the dust storms that regularly sweep across the region. The text of the 2009 report says: "It is impossible to see anything at a distance of more than 100 meters in the city of Kermanshah." The hazardous dust has caused dozens of hospitalizations - combined with rising industrial levels, the city could become the most polluted city in Iran by the time the next report is released.
5. Quetta, Pakistan
Quetta is even more polluted than Peshawar. The city has a pollution rate of 251 micrograms per cubic meter of air, making it the most polluted city in an already rather polluted country. The reports of local experts call the situation in the region a "serious environmental problem for human health", and after the publication of information with the figure of the pollution index in 2011, a group of experts met in Quetta at a conference to formulate the provisions of the "Action Plan to reduce air pollution and regulate the situation. to improve air quality in the city of Quetta ”.
Some of the environmental damage was caused by Shia Muslim protests in 2011 against the Kaddari Imambarga Alamdar Road bombings. As a result of the protests, 81 people were killed. Protesters burned large quantities of burning tires throughout the city, a common form of protest in Pakistan. However, no one took into account that such actions are terribly harmful to the environment. Protesters were encouraged to use alternative methods of protest, such as lighting candles, but in April 2013, protesters were still burning tires. In this situation, nothing bodes well for Quetta's ecological future.
4. Ludhiana, India
The Indian city of Ludhiana has the same level of air pollution as Pakistani Quetta. This is another place, the ecology of which will face serious problems in the near future. The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) again blames rickshaws for pollution as they run on a harmful diesel engine. PPCB will have to implement a transport alternative, for example - to operate buses and other public transport that does not pollute the air. In the Times of India, PPCB Chairman Kahan Singh Pannu stated the following: “It is true that pollution levels in Ludhiana are higher than in other cities and we are taking steps to prevent an environmental disaster,” but later accusations of inaction on pollution by third parties continued from the side against auto rickshaws.
Air is not the only problem in Ludhiana. The river flowing in the city is also extremely polluted due to the constant flow of paint and varnish industry waste into the water. In order for Ludhiana to ever slide down the ranking of the most polluted cities in India, he will have to take drastic measures, acting immediately and quickly.
3. Senedej, Iran
Another Iranian city that suffers from dust storms and heavy industrialization is Senedej. The pollution level is about 254 micrograms per cubic meter of air. Nevertheless, the Iranians are seeking to find the culprit outside the region - this is how Fars News reporters blame American troops for destroying agriculture in neighboring regions, the devastation of which is causing dust storms today. The head of the Iranian Meteorological Organization, Bahram Sanai, emphasized that the occupation of Iraqi allies makes them responsible for the lack of sustainable economic growth in the country. Whether these theories are true is unclear, but with so many cities in the top ten, it seems that Iran needs to first sort out its own problems first, rather than look outside to blame.
2. Ulan Bator, Mongolia
Mongolia is the most sparsely populated independent country in the world, so it is surprising that its capital is overpopulated and very polluted. The Lonely Planet guide describes its Ulaanbaatar as "a boiler of concrete and mud", and at 279 micrograms per cubic meter of air pollution. Pollution comes from a number of sources - dust from dirt roads, emissions from wood-burning stoves, heavy traffic, and by-products from the metallurgical industry.
1. Ahvaz, Iran
The Iranian city of Ahvaz tops the ranking of the most polluted cities. The pollution index is colossal and amounts to 372 micrograms per cubic meter of air. This is by far the worst air of any city in the world. An unhealthy combination of dust storms and atmospheric emissions creates this situation. One report states: “The unusual development and growth of the city, the unwanted location of heavy industries such as steel mills, the airport and oil drilling in a nearby city, combined with heavy traffic, have made the city look like an island of greenhouse gas and pollution.” (Chamran University , 2002).
The average temperature in July in Ahvaz is 115.2F. In 2005, the city was also bombed in connection with the Iraq War. Iran is a beautiful country, with many regions of impeccable countryside, but if you are planning to visit Iran as a tourist it is best not to visit Ahvaz.
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