In 2024, pollution levels in the world’s largest cities have reached hazardous levels

Raising urgent questions about public health and government responsibility. Recent data on Air Quality Index (AQI) ranks several cities with scores above 300, creating a public health crisis.

The Top 10 Most Polluted Cities: Data Highlights and AQI Scores

The Air Quality Index measures air pollution on a scale from 0 (good) to 500 (hazardous). Here’s a look at the ten cities with the highest AQI scores in 2024:

1. Delhi, India – AQI: 401
   Delhi leads the world in air pollution, with a “hazardous” AQI exceeding 400 during peak hours. Contributing factors include vehicle emissions, industrial smoke, and crop burning in surrounding states. Residents face restrictions on outdoor activities, especially children and the elderly.
2. Lahore, Pakistan – AQI: 380
   Lahore, known for dense urban pollution, reports an AQI hovering around 380. Emissions from traffic and local industries have severely impacted air quality, pushing local health officials to issue warnings.
3. Dhaka, Bangladesh – AQI: 375
   Dhaka ranks high in pollution due to industrial activities and lack of air quality regulations. AQI levels reaching 375 have prompted calls for better environmental policies to protect public health.
4. Kathmandu, Nepal – AQI: 360
   Kathmandu’s geographical position in a valley exacerbates air stagnation, trapping pollutants and leading to high AQI scores, often over 350.
5. Beijing, China – AQI: 350
   Despite efforts to reduce pollution, Beijing continues to struggle, particularly in winter, when coal heating drives AQI levels to around 350.
6. Baghdad, Iraq – AQI: 340
   Baghdad faces both industrial pollution and natural dust storms, which drive its AQI to hazardous levels, particularly in densely populated urban areas.
7. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – AQI: 330
   Heavy reliance on coal heating during Mongolia’s long winters contributes to Ulaanbaatar’s high AQI, consistently reaching the hazardous range.
8. Jakarta, Indonesia – AQI: 325
   Jakarta’s rapid urbanization and traffic congestion contribute to its AQI levels, regularly topping 320, making outdoor activities risky for its residents.
9. Tehran, Iran – AQI: 320
   Tehran’s AQI fluctuates around 320 due to vehicle emissions and industrial activities, along with seasonal inversions that trap pollutants over the city.
10. Karachi, Pakistan – AQI: 310
    Karachi’s air quality issues stem from heavy industrial zones and vehicle emissions, placing it in the hazardous AQI range with scores frequently over 300.

The Health Implications of Sky-High AQI Levels

The cities listed above face severe health risks as a direct result of poor air quality. With AQI levels above 300, the population is at risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Exposure to high AQI over long periods increases the likelihood of developing chronic conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and even lung cancer. Children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions are particularly vulnerable.

“High pollution levels have turned our cities into health traps,” notes Dr. Priya Singh, a pulmonary specialist. “Immediate action is needed to prevent long-term health crises.”

Short-term exposure to elevated AQI can result in eye irritation, headaches, and respiratory issues. Long-term exposure has even more serious implications, including premature death and irreversible health impacts on future generations.

Is Government Inaction to Blame?

While international awareness around climate change has grown, there is a significant gap in actionable policies within these high-risk cities. Governments cite challenges such as economic pressures, political hurdles, and reliance on polluting industries. Environmentalists argue that without stricter regulations on emissions, pollution levels will only continue to worsen.

Activists have pointed to the lack of enforcement on industrial emissions and the increasing rate of urbanization as key drivers behind this trend. “If we keep allowing polluters to operate without accountability, AQI will remain high, and so will health costs,” says activist Arjun Mehta from Delhi.

Steps Towards Cleaner Air: Technological Solutions

Some cities are turning to technology in their fight against pollution. For example, Beijing has initiated programs to shift from coal to natural gas and other cleaner energy sources. Cities like Tehran are investing in electric public transport to reduce emissions, but progress is slow. Even the best technological solutions cannot replace the need for policy reforms and public awareness efforts.

Solutions to Combat Urban Air Pollution

1. Electrification of Public Transport Systems

Cities like Beijing and Tehran are gradually moving towards electric public transportation to cut down emissions from diesel and gasoline vehicles. Electric buses, trains, and trams are being deployed at scale, with infrastructure expansion to support battery charging stations across urban areas. This year, wireless inductive charging systems embedded in the roads of pilot cities allow electric buses to recharge while in motion, increasing efficiency and reducing downtime.

Impact: By replacing fossil-fuel-powered public transport with electric systems, cities can significantly reduce vehicle emissions, which are a major contributor to urban air pollution.

2. Air Purification Towers and “Smog-Free” Buildings

Some cities are experimenting with giant air purifiers known as smog towers. These structures, already in use in cities like Delhi and Beijing, capture pollutants and release cleaner air back into the environment. In 2024, advancements in nano-filtration and bio-filtration technology have enhanced the efficiency of these towers, making them capable of cleaning larger volumes of air while consuming less energy.

Additionally, new construction standards encourage “smog-free” buildings designed with green facades and air-filtering materials. These materials can absorb pollutants from the surrounding air, offering a localized solution to urban pollution.

Impact: Smog towers and air-filtering buildings reduce the particulate matter in dense areas, providing localized relief for residents and reducing health risks.

3. AI-Powered Pollution Prediction and Response Systems

With advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning, cities are now deploying real-time AQI monitoring systems that can predict pollution spikes hours or even days in advance. These systems use vast datasets, including weather forecasts, traffic patterns, and industrial emissions, to anticipate when and where air quality will worsen.

In response to pollution predictions, authorities can take proactive measures, such as restricting high-emission vehicles, halting construction, or recommending work-from-home advisories to reduce traffic congestion. This data-driven approach is helping cities like Seoul and Tokyo mitigate pollution impacts on their residents effectively.

Impact: By predicting and preemptively responding to pollution spikes, these systems minimize residents’ exposure to hazardous air quality, improving public health outcomes.

4. Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) Technologies

Industries in major urban centers are increasingly adopting carbon capture and sequestration technology, which removes CO₂ and other pollutants directly from industrial emissions. These technologies are particularly effective in manufacturing hubs like Ulaanbaatar and Jakarta, where factories contribute significantly to air pollution. The captured carbon can then be repurposed or safely stored, ensuring it doesn’t enter the atmosphere.

In 2024, modular CCS systems allow industries to scale the technology according to their output, making it more feasible for smaller factories to implement. Some companies have also developed “micro-CCS” units suitable for installation on smaller urban buildings, such as apartment complexes and office spaces.

Impact: CCS technology enables cities to curb industrial emissions, one of the largest sources of urban pollution, by capturing pollutants before they reach the air.

5. Citizen Engagement and Pollution-Tracking Apps

Public awareness is essential to tackling air pollution, and pollution-tracking mobile apps have become highly popular in 2024. Apps like AirVisual and BreezoMeter provide real-time AQI data and alerts, enabling users to plan outdoor activities around air quality. New features in 2024 also allow citizens to report pollution sources, such as construction dust or illegal burning, directly to city authorities.

These apps empower residents with actionable information, encouraging them to adopt healthier behaviors and advocate for cleaner air in their communities.

Impact: By making air quality data accessible to the public, these apps raise awareness and foster community involvement in reducing urban pollution.

6. Transition to Renewable Energy Sources

Cities with high pollution levels often rely on coal and other fossil fuels for energy. In 2024, more governments are setting ambitious targets to phase out coal and replace it with renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. Advances in energy storage, including next-generation batteries, have enabled cities to maintain stable energy supplies even when renewable sources fluctuate.

Countries in South Asia and the Middle East, where urban pollution is rampant, have also invested in solar micro-grids to power industrial zones, reducing reliance on centralized coal plants.

Impact: Shifting to renewable energy dramatically reduces emissions from power generation, which is a major contributor to urban air pollution in industrial cities.

The Urgency of AQI Reform

2024’s AQI rankings offer a stark reminder of the urgent need for environmental reform. These ten cities highlight the pressing risks associated with unchecked pollution levels. Air quality improvements require a global commitment to policy, innovation, and community action. Without swift measures, millions will continue to live under hazardous skies, facing lifelong health repercussions.