The Most (and the Least) Polluted Cities in the World
Updated: Apr. 16, 2019
Tracking the levels of tiny particulates that can cause respiratory health issues, IQ Air spills the beans on the most polluted cities around the globe.
Most polluted: Gurugram, India
IQ Air—it develops technology to help protect people from airborne pollution—recently released its 2018 world air quality report. Gurugram took the crown as the most polluted city in the world. It’s not alone in India: Of the top 20 most polluted cities worldwide, 15 are in India. Because it is so close to the capital of New Delhi, Gurugram is developing rapidly. However, nonstop construction and an exploding population have had harsh environmental and health consequences.
Most polluted: Faisalabad, Pakistan
The first on the list not in India, nearby Faisalabad gets the nod for IQ Air’s third most polluted city. It is also the third largest city in Pakistan. A report published in the International Journal of Chemistry and Material Science cites rapid population growth, industrialization, and deforestation as key factors in Faisalabad’s developing pollution problem.
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Most polluted: Hotan, China
The only other non-Indian city to make the top 10, the western China city of Hotan takes eighth place on IQ Air’s list. In this region of Xinjiang, coal burning and production is extremely high. Not only that, but the natural elements aren’t kind to residents, either. Along with the usual harms from development and population growth, Hotan—according to a report from the China Environmental Health Project—experiences sand-filled wind more than 300 days out of the year.
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Most polluted: Dhaka, Bangladesh
While India has the greatest number of polluted cities in the world, its neighbor Bangladesh manages to have incredibly high levels despite a much smaller population. According to IQ Air, “…weighted by population, Bangladesh emerges as the most polluted country on average.” The capital city of Dhaka takes second place only to Delhi, India on the world capital cities pollution ranking.
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Most polluted: Manama, Bahrain
As a country, the island of Bahrain takes fifth place on IQ Air’s most polluted countries list. The city of Manama, in particular, is named the worst of all the cities in this country. Because of the Kingdom’s coastal environment, marine pollution is just as much a factor as air pollution is in the lives of the people there. You should also be aware of these sneaky causes of indoor air pollution.
Most polluted: Kabul, Afghanistan
Here’s a jarring statistic about Kabul from Al Jazeera: The city’s air pollution has claimed more lives than the current war. The amount of old vehicles emitting hazardous pollutants on the streets is more than the city can handle; many children end up in the hospital with breathing conditions because of the intense pollution in Kabul.
Most polluted: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Mongolia’s capital of Ulaanbaatar houses half of the country’s population, and every person there is at serious risk from air pollution, reports UNICEF. The poor air quality is hardest on pregnant women and infants, and the charity has singled out the country as a child health crisis—the incidence of premature birth, stillbirth, pneumonia, and bronchitis is skyrocketing.
Most polluted: Kuwait City, Kuwait
The intense air pollution in Kuwait has led not only to a rise in respiratory problems but a greater abundance of cancer-causing particles, reports the Kuwait Times. This source also puts some of the blame on the local government for failing to acknowledge and address environmental issues. Plus, toxins may also be finding their way into homes.
Least polluted: Honolulu, Hawaii
On a more positive note, the American Lung Association states that Hawaii—especially Honolulu—has some of the cleanest air in the United States and anywhere else. The environmental website Mother Nature News points to Hawaii’s tradewinds: These year-round breezes carry any air particulates out to sea.
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Least polluted: Zurich, Switzerland
The city of Zurich is another clean city that has implemented strict waste management techniques; the populace also prefers cycling, trains, buses, and subways to driving. The city actually provides its residents with an app that helps them track and manage their garbage and recycling, and it helps keep them informed on best practices. Zurich, Switzerland is also one of the top 10 cities for quality of living.
Least polluted: Adelaide, Australia
The entire country of Australia places just below Iceland and Finland on IQ Air’s least polluted list. Adelaide was also singled out by Mercer Global Financial as one of the world’s cleanest cities. The city garners even more accolades for being a great place to inhabit: Adelaide ranks among the world’s most livable cities.
Least polluted: Calgary, Canada
Calgary is one of the cleanest cities in the world largely because of its approach to waste and waste management. Their “Too Good To Waste” campaign, for example, has reduced the amount of garbage going to landfills: Through sorting out compost and recyclables, the city has cut landfill waste in half, officials say. (Overall, Canada ranks third in the world for air quality, according to a WHO report.)
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Least polluted: Helsinki, Finland
The IQ Air report lists the capital of Finland as one of the least polluted capital cities in the world. One reason, reports the Telegraph, is that the residents’ standard mode of transportation is public transportation and bicycles: The city has roughly 2,400 miles worth of cycle lanes. If you love cycling, this New Brunswick city needs to be on your radar.
Least polluted: Reykjavík, Iceland
Architectural Digest names Rekyjavík one of the top five cleanest international cities you need to visit. Because of the city’s dedication to alternative energy sources, residents and travelers can enjoy pristine natural resources and living conditions. Geothermal energy—a clean source—accounts for approximately 90 percent of the city’s heating and electricity power.
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Least polluted: Hamburg, Germany
Germany is a world leader in green energy concepts, and Hamburg is a shining example of how well their strategies are working out. The country’s campaign to reduce harmful emissions is bold, with a goal of 40 percent emission reduction by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050.
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Least polluted: Wellington, New Zealand
IQ Air reports that Wellington has the cleanest air of all the world capitals on its list. “The relatively small population and geographic isolation lend the New Zealand capital naturally fresher, cleaner air,” reports the website Mother Nature Network. Additionally, the locals take pride in maintaining the city’s cleanliness. If you’re looking for the healthiest people in the world, though, look no further than Spain.
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