Delhi no longer most polluted in the world; Iran’s Zabol most polluted: WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on 12 May 2016 in a survey announced that New Delhi is no longer the worst polluted city in the world in terms of air quality.

However, India is home to four of the five cities in the world with the worst air pollution.

As per the report, in terms of PM2.5 measurement, New Delhi ranked as the 11th worst city in the survey. The national capital had an annual average PM2.5 measurement of 122.

Key highlights of the survey

• The dirtiest air was recorded at Zabol in Iran, which suffers from months of dust storms in the summer. Zabol clocked PM2.5 measure of 217.

• The next four cities in the list were Gwalior, Allahabad, Patna and Raipur.

• New Delhi was the survey's 11th worst city, measured by the amount of particulate matter under 2.5 micrograms found in every cubic metre of air. Delhi had an annual average PM2.5 measurement of 122.

Key highlights of WHO’s urban air quality database

• More than 80% of people living in urban areas that monitor air pollution are exposed to air quality levels that exceed WHO limits.

• Populations in low-income cities are the most impacted.

• 98% of cities in low- and middle income countries with more than 100000 inhabitants do not meet WHO air quality guidelines. However, in high-income countries, that percentage decreases to 56%.

Now get latest Current Affairs on mobile, Download # 1  Current Affairs App