Bangalore, once celebrated as India’s tech hub and a city of gardens, is now grappling with a grim reality: its air is becoming as toxic as its traffic jams. With India ranking as the fifth most polluted country in the world and six of the top nine most polluted cities globally located within its borders, Bangalore’s air quality is raising alarm bells. But how did the city get here, and what does this mean for its future?
The Damning Report
The 2024 World Air Quality Report by IQAir paints a stark picture of India’s air pollution crisis. While the country saw a 7% decline in PM2.5 levels compared to 2023, the national average of 50.6 μg/m³ is still over ten times the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safe limit of 5 μg/m³. India ranks as the fifth most polluted country globally, trailing Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Among Indian cities, Delhi leads with a staggering annual average of 108.3 μg/m³, followed by Kolkata (45.6 μg/m³), Mumbai (33.7 μg/m³), Hyderabad (30.6 μg/m³), Bangalore (30.0 μg/m³), and Chennai (26.0 μg/m³). While Bangalore fares better than Delhi, its January peak of 44.0 μg/m³ and consistent monthly averages reveal a persistent air quality issue.
Bangalore’s pollution stems from unchecked vehicular emissions, rampant construction, and waste burning, compounded by shrinking green cover and reliance on diesel generators during power outages. The city’s air quality crisis is part of a larger regional problem, with Central and South Asia home to the top nine most polluted cities globally. Byrnihat, India, recorded the highest PM2.5 levels in 2024, with an annual average of 128.2 μg/m³. You can download this report to know more.
Globally, only 17% of cities meet the WHO air pollution guideline, and 91.3% of countries exceed the safe PM2.5 limit. While Oceania remains the cleanest region, with 57% of its cities meeting the WHO guideline, India’s air pollution crisis continues to pose severe health risks. Children in Bangalore are particularly vulnerable, with studies linking prolonged PM2.5 exposure to asthma, cognitive impairments, and reduced life expectancy.
Bangalore’s air quality crisis is a wake-up call for India’s policymakers, businesses, and citizens. The Supreme Court’s recent declaration that clean air is a fundamental right offers a glimmer of hope, but action must follow words. From stricter emissions regulations to expanding public transport and restoring the city’s green cover, the solutions are clear. The question is: will Bangalore act before it’s too late? As the city gasps for breath, the time to act is now—because the cost of inaction is not just measured in numbers, but in lives.
Global Air Quality Trends in 2024
The 2024 World Air Quality Report reveals a sobering reality: air pollution remains one of the most pressing environmental and public health challenges globally. With only 17% of cities meeting the World Health Organization’s (WHO) PM2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m³, the report underscores the urgent need for coordinated global action. Here are the key global trends shaping the air quality landscape in 2024:
The Most Polluted Countries and Regions
- Chad emerged as the most polluted country in the world, with an annual PM2.5 average of 91.8 µg/m³—more than 18 times the WHO guideline. The Bodélé Depression, a major source of Sahara Desert dust, continues to exacerbate Chad’s air quality crisis.
- Bangladesh (78.0 µg/m³), Pakistan (73.7 µg/m³), Democratic Republic of the Congo (58.2 µg/m³), and India (50.6 µg/m³) round out the top five most polluted countries. These nations face a mix of industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, and agricultural burning as primary contributors.
- Central and South Asia remain the epicenter of global air pollution, with the region hosting six of the nine most polluted cities in the world. Byrnihat, India, recorded the highest PM2.5 levels globally at 128.2 µg/m³.
The Cleanest Regions
- Oceania continues to lead as the cleanest region globally, with 57% of its cities meeting the WHO guideline. Australia (4.5 µg/m³), New Zealand (4.4 µg/m³), and French Polynesia (2.5 µg/m³) maintain some of the lowest PM2.5 levels worldwide.
- Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, was the cleanest metropolitan area globally, with an annual PM2.5 average of just 1.1 µg/m³. Other clean regions include Barbados, the Bahamas, and Iceland.
Global Monitoring and Data Gaps
- Africa faces a severe lack of air quality monitoring infrastructure, with only one monitoring station for every 3.7 million people. Despite this, Chad and the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported some of the highest pollution levels globally.
- West Asia also struggles with limited monitoring, with less than 1% of global air quality monitoring stations located in the region. Iraq (38.4 µg/m³) and the United Arab Emirates (33.7 µg/m³) remain the most polluted countries in the region.
Regional Highlights
- Southeast Asia saw a decline in PM2.5 levels across all countries, though transboundary haze and El Niño conditions remain significant challenges.
- Latin America and the Caribbean experienced mixed trends, with wildfires in the Amazon rainforest quadrupling PM2.5 levels in some Brazilian cities during September. However, countries like Barbados and Grenada maintained clean air standards.
- Europe showed slight improvements, with Iceland and Estonia meeting the WHO guideline. However, Bosnia and Herzegovina remained the most polluted country in the region (25.3 µg/m³).
Wildfires and Climate Change
- Wildfires played a significant role in worsening air quality in 2024. In Brazil, over 120,000 fire outbreaks were reported in the Amazon, leading to a sharp rise in PM2.5 levels across the region. Similarly, Australia’s wildfire season posed acute air quality risks, particularly in urban areas.
Policy and Progress
- United States: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lowered the PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) from 12.0 to 9.0 µg/m³, aiming to prevent 4,500 premature deaths annually by 2032.
- India: The Supreme Court declared clean air a fundamental right, urging stricter measures to curb stubble burning and vehicular emissions.
- Brazil: New legislation was introduced to strengthen air quality monitoring and reduce emissions from deforestation and wildfires.
The Path Forward
The 2024 report highlights the stark disparities in air quality across regions and the urgent need for global action. While some countries are making strides in reducing pollution, others face worsening conditions due to industrialization, urbanization, and climate change. Expanding air quality monitoring networks, adopting clean energy solutions, and enforcing stricter emissions regulations are critical steps to ensure a healthier future for all.
What Can You Do About This?
To limit your exposure to air pollution, consider downloading the free IQAir AirVisual app for real-time air quality updates, which can help you stay informed about outdoor conditions. During periods of unhealthy air quality, it’s advisable to reduce outdoor activities and wear a high-quality mask when you must go outside. Monitoring real-time air quality reports and forecasts is essential, as is choosing eco-friendly alternatives to wood-burning stoves for heating and cooking. To improve indoor air quality, invest in air filtration and purification systems, and when outdoor air quality is poor, set your A/C systems to recirculation mode while keeping doors and windows closed. Conversely, when the air quality is healthy, ventilate your home by opening doors and windows and switching your A/C to fresh air intake. Additionally, you can lower your personal air pollution footprint by opting to walk, bike, or use public transportation whenever possible, which not only saves money but also reduces energy consumption. Lastly, decrease waste by recycling, upcycling, and being mindful of your purchasing habits.
Some images courtesy: IQAir
