Top 10 most polluted places in the world

Here are the top 10 most polluted places in the world, based on various sources such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and other reports:

  1. New Delhi, India: New Delhi is often referred to as the most polluted city in the world. The city's air quality is severely affected by vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and crop burning, with PM2.5 levels reaching as high as 300-400 μg/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter).
  2. Dhaka, Bangladesh: Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and is known for its severe air pollution. The city's air quality is affected by vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and construction, with PM2.5 levels reaching as high as 200-300 μg/m3.
  3. Kolkata, India: Kolkata is another Indian city that struggles with severe air pollution. The city's air quality is affected by vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and waste burning, with PM2.5 levels reaching as high as 150-200 μg/m3.
  4. Beijing, China: Beijing is known for its notorious air pollution, which is caused by vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and coal burning. The city's air quality is often classified as hazardous, with PM2.5 levels reaching as high as 100-150 μg/m3.
  5. Lahore, Pakistan: Lahore is the second-largest city in Pakistan and is known for its severe air pollution. The city's air quality is affected by vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and waste burning, with PM2.5 levels reaching as high as 100-150 μg/m3.
  6. Mumbai, India: Mumbai is the financial capital of India and is known for its severe air pollution. The city's air quality is affected by vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and construction, with PM2.5 levels reaching as high as 80-100 μg/m3.
  7. Shanghai, China: Shanghai is a major city in China and is known for its air pollution. The city's air quality is affected by vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and coal burning, with PM2.5 levels reaching as high as 60-80 μg/m3.
  8. Kathmandu, Nepal: Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and is known for its severe air pollution. The city's air quality is affected by vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and wood burning, with PM2.5 levels reaching as high as 50-60 μg/m3.
  9. Tehran, Iran: Tehran is the capital of Iran and is known for its air pollution. The city's air quality is affected by vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and oil refining, with PM2.5 levels reaching as high as 40-50 μg/m3.
  10. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: Ulaanbaatar is the capital of Mongolia and is known for its severe air pollution. The city's air quality is affected by vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and coal burning, with PM2.5 levels reaching as high as 30-40 μg/m3.

Note: The levels of PM2.5 mentioned above are based on average annual concentrations and may vary depending on the source and methodology used.