Most Polluted Countries in the World: We live in a world where development is crucial. Countries are constantly trying to achieve industrial progress in order to ensure economic growth. But at what cost? The issue of pollution is very important; it has become a crucial aspect about our future, and there are fears runaway pollution could even threaten the delicate ecosystems of the Earth, and ultimately, humanity’s survival.
There has been a commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by every country in the UN climate change summit, but there have been some countries that have had difficulties. Balancing the growth of national industry versus the reduction of pollution can be tricky. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is the leading cause of death worldwide.
The main causes of pollution are: uncontrolled emissions from motor vehicles, dust, industrial waste, garbage, brick kilns, cooking stoves, and the burning of wood, coal and bio-mass. In this article we will take a look at some of the countries that have ranked among the most polluted. Almost all the worst offenders are either major oil and gas producers, or emerging economies that are growing rapidly.
Let’s take a look at these most polluted countries in the world and try to understand the reasons and possible solutions for their problematic carbon emissions. Using statistics provided by the WHO that represent a comprehensive analysis of concentrated air pollution, measured in micrograms per cubic meter of air (ug/m3). These are the top ten most polluted countries in the world.
When you’re done reading this list, be sure to check out and compare it to The Top 20 Countries with the Best Quality of Life to see just how detrimental pollution is to living long, healthy lives.
10- Kuwait
Pollution level: 123 ug/m3
Kuwait is the fourth largest oil exporter among the OPEC countries. Their oil industry accounts for half their GDP. Its large oil refineries and industrial plants are contaminating the air at incredible speed while development in the country is still very slow for most citizens.
9- Nigeria
Pollution level: 124 ug/m3
Nigeria is one of the most populated countries in the world, with over 155 million people. Its rapid urbanization and industrial growth has lead to a lack of planning in terms of an ecological point of view, which has resulted in high levels of pollution. Nigeria is also Africa’s largest oil producer, and oil spills and accidents have resulted in ever increasing polluted air in the country, and also contaminated water and soil. Nigeria needs to put into action a responsible plan for its industrial growth without compromising its citizens health.
8- Iran
Pollution level: 124 ug/m3
Iran has oil reserves and natural gas reserves larger than most countries in the world. But its industry is not as developed; therefore, nationally produced gas has caused a lot of air pollution. The industry cannot develop fast enough and uses old machinery that does not refine the oil as well as it should, leaving a lot of waste behind that pollutes the air and water. Iran is also home to one of the most polluted cities in the world, Ahvaz, a city of over a million people that has pollution rates that make the air nigh unbreathable.
7- United Arab Emirates
Pollution level: 132 ug/m3
UAE is the world’s fourth biggest oil exporter and a very developed Middle Eastern country. Its high production of waste per capita, water consumption and carbon emission sets them up at number seven on our list. The problem with UAE is that their economic structure is based on oil refineries and oil money which has increased over the years. Despite its attempts at reducing carbon, its growth is ever increasing and its management and planning are not as detailed. If all its growth comes from the same industry that is polluting the air, the state has to take action and regulate oil refineries’ pollution.
6- Egypt
Pollution level: 138 ug/m3
Egypt’s biggest sources of pollution are factories notorious for polluting the air with lead, gases and cement dust. In addition to that, vehicle exhaust fumes are a major problem in big cities like Cairo, which had about 2.1 million vehicles on the roads as of 2007. Egypt’s environmentalists have also been battling to control pollution caused every autumn when farmers burn rice chaff and other crop remnants. The pollution, known as “Black Cloud,” occurs after the harvest, and is responsible for over 40 percent of the air pollution in Cairo during this period.
5- Saudi Arabia
Pollution level: 143 ug/m3
Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest producers and exporters of petroleum. It also the second largest oil producer and holds one-fifth of the world’s oil reserves. Oil, power, desalination and other industrial activities near the coast have led to sewage outflows, and oil and chemical plumes. This has led to lots of respiratory diseases in its citizens. The country is trying to clean its air with new technology, but its oil industry seems unstoppable.
4- Senegal
Pollution level: 145 ug/m3
Senegal’s problem is similar to Nigeria’s. These two countries have experienced rapid growth and urbanization, and a lack of planning has lead to carbon emissions rising. Its pollution comes from mining, vehicle emissions and combustion of fuels for domestic energy needs. The country is also dealing with a high concentration of fluoride in its water, which was 15 times higher than the acceptable standard of 2011.
3- India
Pollution level:163 ug/m3
India has a particular problem because of its gigantic population and rapid urbanization. Carbon emissions are out of control. New Delhi has ranked among the most polluted cities in the world together with Shanghai, China. There are several respiratory problems deriving from air pollution in India’s society. The state is taking measures, but it doesn’t seem enough compared to the developmental growth that the country is experiencing.
2- Pakistan
Pollution level: 198 ug/m3
Political instability, corruption and a lack of government measures to curb carbon emissions have led to a cloak of thick smoke over major cities like Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. Karachi, Pakistan’s biggest city has a capacity of only 700 vehicles per hour, but according to the study, there are more than 11,000 vehicles per hour on the roads. Cars are a big problem in Pakistan, and its carbon emissions need to be managed in order to avoid further problems with its citizens and mitigate respiratory diseases that are now affecting young children in the country.
1- Mongolia
Pollution level: 279 ug/m3
This is a surprising number one in the ranking given its population and development, but Mongolia is home to one of the world’s most polluted cities — Ulaanbaatar. This city’s population has expanded by 70 percent over the last 20 years with the city’s infrastructure unable to keep up with the growth. The number of premature deaths, cases of chronic bronchitis and respiratory related hospital admissions are on a rapid rise. The government has been trying to mitigate the problems by introducing measures such as cleaner coal-based fuel and modern stoves to address its pollution crisis. Mongolia is our number one most polluted country.
You might be surprised that countries such as the U.S and China didn’t make it into the ranking. That is because on average, the air pollution is lesser than in these countries. But don’t assume that they are clean countries; both China and the U.S have cities and areas that are among the most polluted in the world. But they are also the two leading countries in research and investment towards finding solutions to this problem. Global warming as a result of carbon emission is not a theory, it is a scientific fact, and as such we must take this problem into account. It is not about politics or economics; it is about the future of our entire planet.
