New Delhi Tops 2024 World Air Quality Report as Most Polluted Capital, Highlighting Global Air Quality Crisis

According to the 2024 World Air Quality Report released by IQAir, New Delhi has been identified as the most polluted capital city worldwide. The report, published by the Swiss air monitoring company, highlights the severe air quality issues faced by various regions across the globe. Following New Delhi, N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, ranks as the second most polluted capital. Chad, a country located in central Africa, is noted for having the worst air pollution globally.

The comprehensive report by IQAir examines data from over 40,000 air quality monitoring stations situated in 8,954 locations across 138 countries, territories, and regions. The rankings are determined based on the annual average concentration of micrograms of air pollutants per cubic meter. Chad’s air quality was particularly concerning, with a measurement of 91.5 micrograms of pollutants per cubic meter.

In the United States, Los Angeles was identified as having the lowest air quality in 2024. The report also indicates that California, as a whole, faces significant air pollution challenges. Ten out of the 15 most polluted cities in North America are located in California, including Ontario and Bloomington. This has resulted in the United States reclaiming the position as the most polluted country in the region for the year 2024.

Globally, the report reveals that six out of the world’s ten most polluted cities are situated in India. This underscores the ongoing air quality challenges faced by the country. The findings of the IQAir report serve as a critical reminder of the pressing need for effective measures to address air pollution and improve air quality worldwide.