(Image source from: edition.cnn.com)

The World Health Organization reports that about 7 million people worldwide die due to air pollution as it contains PM2.5, the most harmful air pollutant that is 2.5 in diameter or smaller makes into the blood stream through lungs.

24/7 Tempo reviewed the average annual concentration of PM2.5 particles in order to identify the world’s most polluted cities and found more than 2,600 cities around the globe from the World Health Organization’s 2018 update to its Global Ambient Air Quality Database.

China or India contains the majority of cities in the list that suggests that these nations have poor regulations, infrastructure, or industries that leads to pollution as heavy industrialization and rapid growth of developing cities are the most common causes of high concentration of air pollution.

Combustion, including car engines, power plants, construction projects, fires and wood burning are the main source of PM2.5 pollution inhaling which leads to premature death as well as number of chronic conditions such as lung diseases, reduced lung function, asthma and heart problems.

By Shrithika Kushangi