According to a report by the Swiss company IQAir, in 2023 only seven countries in the world will meet the strict air quality standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO). This is reported by daily.afisha.ru.
The researchers analyzed data on PM 2.5 (particulate matter 2.5 microns in size) concentrations in 7,812 locations in 134 countries. PM 2.5 levels should not exceed 5 µg/m3 in order not to pose a risk to human health.
Inhaling microscopic particles from industrial activities and vehicle emissions can lead to asthma, cancer, stroke and other serious illnesses.
Only in seven countries - Australia, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius, New Zealand, Finland and Estonia - PM 2.5 levels remain within acceptable limits.
At the same time, the situation in Bangladesh, Pakistan and India is of grave concern. PM 2.5 levels in these countries are 10 times higher than the WHO standard, posing a huge threat to public health.