IQAir Report: Only Seven Countries Meet WHO Air Quality Standards

A recent IQAir study reveals that most of the world's population is exposed to polluted air, with only seven countries meeting World Health Organization (WHO) air quality standards in the past year. The report, which analyzed data from 40,000 air quality monitoring stations across 138 countries, identifies Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as having the highest levels of air pollution. According to the database, only Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Estonia, and Iceland met WHO's international air-quality standards. The report also highlights a significant data gap in many regions, particularly in Africa, where monitoring is limited. The US Department of State's decision to discontinue publicizing air quality data from its embassies and consulates will further exacerbate this issue, potentially affecting at least 34 countries that rely on this information. Climate change is also cited as a contributing factor to increasing pollution levels, with higher temperatures leading to more frequent and intense wildfires.