Paris has leapt into the headlines over an
alert for dangerous atmospheric particles, yet it does not ordinarily
count among the world's most polluted cities that include Ludhiana and
Kanpur in India. Here are the top 10 cities for which data is
available, according to a 2011 World Health Organisation (WHO) report.
The pollution is measured as the microgramme (mcg) concentration per
cubic metre of air of particulate matter smaller than 10 micrometres
(PM10) -- about a seventh of the width of a human hair. The figures are
the average for the year. Seasonal spikes can be many times higher.
The WHO's health guidelines are maximum exposure of 20 mcg/m3, measured
as an annual average. 1) Ahvaz, Iran 372 mcg/m3 (2009
data) 2) Ulan Bator, Mongolia 279 mcg/m3 (2008 data) 3)
Sanandaj, Iran 254 mcg/m3 (2009 data) 4) Ludhiana, India
(2008 data) and Quetta, Pakistan (2003/4 data)
tied at 251 mcg/m3 5) Kermanshah, Iran 229 mcg/m3 (2009
data) 6) Peshawar, Pakistan 219 mcg/m3 (2003/4 data) 7)
Gaborone, Botswana 216 mcg/m3 (2005 data) 8) Yasuj, Iran
215 mcg/m3 (2009 data) 9) Kanpur, India 209 mcg/m3
(2008 data) 10) Lahore, Pakistan 200 mcg/m3 (2003/4 data)
Paris, whose levels hit a high of 180 mcg/m3 last week, has an annual
mean level of 38 mcg/m3 according to 2008 data. Beijing, which has also
been in the news over smothering smog, is listed with an annual mean
figure of 121 mcg/m3. The Middle East and North Africa is the world's
most polluted region with an annual mean level well over 130 mcg/m3,
followed by Southeast Asia with a level near 100 mcg/m3. The WHO
estimates more than two million people die every year from breathing
indoor and outdoor particle pollution. Particles are released by
burning petrol and diesel for car and motorcycle combustion, or coal,
fuel wood, charcoal and animal waste for heating and cooking. Weather
conditions can drastically affect pollution levels, as in Paris where
particles were trapped by a high pressure system causing sunny days and
cold nights, with little wind. Particulate pollution is also measured by
levels of particles called PM2.5. Measuring less than 2.5 mcg, or
about a 30th the width of a human hair, these can penetrate deep into
the lungs and are often made from more toxic materials than PM10. Other
pollution yardsticks are gases -- ozone, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen
oxide that are potential irritants of the airways or eyes.
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