Delhi and Bihar Top Global PM2.5 Rankings

India has been ranked third globally in PM2.5 levels. Delhi and Bihar's Begusarai lead, posing severe health risks.

Key Points

Bihar's Begusarai Tops PM2.5 Charts: Begusarai named world's most polluted metro area, PM2.5 levels at 118.9 µg/m³.
Delhi's PM2.5 worsens to 92.7 µg/m³, retaining title as most polluted capital for four consecutive years.
India's Disturbing Air Quality Trends: India ranks third globally for PM2.5 pollution, recording an average of 54.4 µg/m³.
Over 1.36 billion Indians exceed WHO annual guideline levels, 96% experience levels exceeding guidelines by seven times.
Data Collection and Impact: IQAir's report aggregates data from over 30,000 air quality monitoring stations worldwide.
Air pollution contributes to an estimated one in nine global deaths annually, with severe health implications.
Health Implications and Challenges: PM2.5 exposure leads to various health issues, including asthma, cancer, stroke, and mental health concerns.
Children's cognitive development and existing illnesses, such as diabetes, are adversely affected by elevated PM2.5 levels.