The recent data released by IQAir AirVisual and Greenpeace shows that seven out of top ten polluted cities in the world in 2018 are from India. Gurugram is the most polluted city. The rest three places went to Pakistan and Chinese cities, thus, making South Asia the most polluted region in the world.
Image source: BloombergThe index measures the presence of fine particulate matter known as PM2.5, a pollutant that can fester deep in the lungs and bloodstream of human beings.
India, the world’s fastest-growing major economy, makes up 22 of the top 30 most polluted cities, with five in China, two in Pakistan and one in Bangladesh. India racks up health-care costs and productivity losses from pollution of as much as 8.5 percent of gross domestic product, according to the World Bank.
The deteriorating condition of air quality in Delhi is well known. The smog near the Diwali period was like a silver lining for the air purifier companies. Also, a survey on NCR residents tells that 35% of the residents responded want to leave it forever. The result also showed the same as out of 7 cities, 4 are from NCR.
The reason for the pollution are many. Burning of stubble, wind direction, stagnant air, etc are the reasons apart from the obvious ones. In order to improve the quality of air, not only Delhites, but everyone living near the capital should take the responsibility. China did and so can we.
