Air quality in Mexico is bad, but there are 54 countries that are worse, according to this ranking

Atmospheric pollution in Mexico has become a public health problem that requires urgent care. However, there are 54 countries where the situation is even more serious, according to the study World Air Quality Report 2024 from Iqair.

The report analyzed data from more than 40,000 air quality monitoring stations located at 8,954 locations from 138 countries and regions. It was concluded that 91.3% of the evaluated territories exceeded the safe limits of air pollution established by the World Health Organization (WHO). These standards suggest a maximum annual exposure of 5 micrograms of PM2.5 (polluting microparticles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less) per cubic meter of air. Only 17% of the cities in the world comply with these guidelines.

“Atmospheric pollution remains a critical threat to human health and the stability of the environment; however, a large part of the population is unaware of their exposure levels,” said Frank Hammes, a World CEO of Iqair.

In 2024, the Republic of Chad, in Africa, headed the list of the most contaminated countries, with pollution levels more than 18 times higher than those recommended by WHO. Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and India complete the first five places.

Although India is not the country with the worst air quality, It houses the most contaminated metropolitan area: Byrnihat. In fact, 35 of the 50 cities with more pollution are in Indian territory (and nine in the neighboring country of Pakistan). In contrast, Bahamas was the territory with the cleaner air globally, followed by Bermuda, French Polynesia, the Virgin Islands of the United States and Puerto Rico.

Seven of the most contaminated cities in the world are located in Central and Southern Asia. According to him reportcontaminant concentrations significantly decreased in Southeast Asia. However, cross -border mist and the conditions of El Niño aggravate the situation. In Latin America, forest fires in the Amazon jungle impacted vast areas last year, causing PM2.5 levels in multiple cities of the Brazilian states of Rondônia and Acre to quadruple in September. Oceania, on the other hand, is the region with the cleaner air in the world, since 57% of its cities comply with WHO’s safe values.

Air quality in Mexico

Mexico occupies the 55th position among the countries evaluated with the worst air quality. Despite this, the concentration of pollutants in national territory It exceeds between three and five times the threshold recommended by WHO. Within Latin America, it is the second most polluted country, only below Guatemala and followed by El Salvador, Peru and Chile.

Contrary to popular belief, Mexico City is not the most contaminated city in the country. This title is occupied by the Metropolitan Zone of Ajalpan, in Puebla, which is in position 821 of the 8,954 most contaminated cities in the world.

Various research estimates that poor air quality is linked to more than 5 million deaths annually worldwide, especially affecting low and medium income countries. Implementing initiatives such as the use of cleaner fuels and mobility strategies that respect WHO standards is essential to mitigate the effects of PM2.5 particles on health.

Aidan Farrow, Chief of Air Quality scientist at Greenpeace International, warns that “by highlighting the disproportionate risk of air pollution, the report reminds us that today’s inaction will have an impact on future generations. References to human activities such as burning coal and deforestation underline the connection between air quality, climate change and the world that climate change and the world We will inherit. “

For their part, Hammes reiterates that “the data on air quality save lives. They generate awareness, inform political decisions, guide public health interventions and empower communities to act against pollution and protect future generations.”