Top 10 Most Polluted Cities in the World

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While there was a total of 6 to 8 million deaths in World War II, every year almost 3.3 million people die only of pollution, let alone 7 million people died in the year 2012. (Figure presented by World Health Organization) not only this, these figures are expected to double in another 3 decades if the pollution continues to trend. Although these figures attribute to land pollution as well as air pollution, but according to latest research air pollution is the biggest environmental risk that the earth is facing right now. It is largely due to the CO2 emission, in the form of smoke emitted from automobiles, waste gasses from factories and CFCs i.e. Chloro Floro Carbons which are emitted from refrigerators, spray cans etc. and lead to depletion of the ozone layer.

In order to find a solution, it is always the first step to reach the root cause. Although the reasons behind the escalating pollution are known, it is also important to locate those countries and cities that have the highest amount of populations so that strategies can be devised and targeted to the most polluted areas first.  On wayside are the underdeveloped countries where pollution is taking its toll because of an uncontrolled population and poor sewerage and cleanliness systems. On the other hand, the developed nations are not far behind because of increasing urbanization and increasing the number of vehicles on the road and developing industries. Some of the most polluted cities in the world are:

1.Delhi (India)

Whereby many of us will expect to hear cities like Beijing as the top most polluted city in the world, in actual Delhi steals the show according to 2014 report by WHO with a level of “153” (micrograms per cubic meter).  In fact amongst the 20 most polluted cities in the world, 15 are only from India. Other cities from India with the most pollution include Patna with a level of “149” and Gwalior which is not far behind from its

sister cities with a pollution level of “144”. Unfortunately, the level of pollution in these cities is almost six times the level of air particles matter that is thought to be safe. 

2. Beijing (China)

Smothered with smoke and dirt, this city of China is on the verge of red alert forcing factories, vehicles and other pollution bearing sources to shut down. The city has pollution to such a dangerous limit that in some areas of the city, pm2.5 exceeds 900 micrograms per cubic meter.

3. Karachi (Pakistan)

Since Pakistan and India has a lot in common, the recent trend in growing pollution adds to the list of commonalities.  The metropolitan City of Karachi being the capital of Sindh province, as well as the hub of business activities has a pollution level of “117” and co2 emissions in Karachi is rising. There is something with the capitals of India and Pakistan considering Delhi, Raipur, Karachi and also Peshawar which is the capital of KPK province. The pollution level in Peshawar amounts to “111”.

Called as the twin city to the beautiful and green capital of Islamabad, the city of Rawalpindi proves to be the opposite. The amount of pollution is in complete contrast to the beauty and cleanliness of the city of Islamabad, Nevertheless Rawalpindi scores a level of “107”

4.Khormabad & Ahwaz (Iran)

So finally India, Pakistan and China spare some space for another country i.e. Iran, however, some studies point towards Khorramabad; the Capital city of Lorestan province (continuing with the legacy of Capital cities), while some other point towards Ahwaz according to the most recent research. Not only that; these recent studies allocate the top most position to the city of Ahwaz.

5.Ahmedabad & Lucknow (India)

India comes back into the game with a pollution level of 100 in the city of Ahmedabad and also What was back in history, a hub of literature and beautiful architecture, the capital City of Uttar Pradesh is amongst most polluted city in the world.

6. Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia)

This city of Mongolia accounts for almost 45 percent of the overall population of the country and one of the most polluted cities in the world. The pollution in this area attributes to coal-fueled boilers and stoves as well as congested traffic.

7.Cairo (Egypt)

With extremely high air and water pollution, extremely dissatisfactory garbage disposal systems, the city of Cairo in Egypt has a PM2.5 pollution level of “73”. Alexandria is another Egyptian city with extreme levels of pollution including sand and dust storms.

8. Dakar (Senegal)

With a pollution level of “179” milligram per cubic meter, various cities in Senegal including the city of Dakar come under the list of most polluted cities in the world.

9. Kabul (Afghanistan)

War with Russia and War on terror has left the city of Kabul, in fact, the entire country into ashes. The economy has deteriorated and the survival conditions are even worse. The pollution has increased to extremely unhealthy conditions.

10. Narayonganj (Bangladesh)

Air pollution is really takes a toll on this city as it has carbon-monoxide, Sulphur dioxide, ozone and methane-ethane pollution.

However, this list is not final and the level of pollution varies time to time-based on the amount of pollution in changing weather conditions.