Most Polluted Countries

The Worlds Most Polluted Cities
Rajeshni Naidu-Ghelani, On Monday 10 October 2011, 18:06 SGT

Emerging nations around the world are often heralded for their fast growth but we don't often hear about the downsides of that rapid
development.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released a report on air quality in countries around the globe, on which we based a list of
ten most polluted countries. Almost all the worst offenders are either major oil and gas producers, or emerging economies that are growing
rapidly.
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The WHO study looked at air quality in 91 countries, measured by the amount of PM10 particles per cubic meter. PM10 particles are particles
of 10 micrometers or less that can cause diseases and infections. According to the WHO, PM10 levels above 20 micrograms per cubic meter
can cause health risks. The top ten most polluted countries have PM10 levels from six times to14 times that
So, which countries have the world's worst air quality?
10. Kuwait
Pollution level: 123 ug/m3
Kuwait is one of four oil-rich Middle Eastern nations to make the list. It is also the fourth largest exporter of oil among OPEC countries,
the petroleum industry accounting for half of Kuwait's GDP.
Kuwait made headlines during the first Gulf War in 1990 when Iraqi troops set fire to its oil fields, creating massive air pollution and ground
contamination. That led to a decades long environmental clean up.
Today, pollution is largely caused by local oil refineries and industrial plants. Last year, 15,000 students
government has maintained that levels of air pollution are within environmental standards. Some plants though have been
improve air quality.
A 2010 global survey by consulting firm Gallup found that 57 percent of Kuwaitis were dissatisfied with
in. Local residents are reported to suffer from high rates of respiratory diseases such as asthma, cancer and skin
9. Nigeria
Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the eighth most populous in the world with over 155 million people.
Rapid urbanization and economic development have led to haphazard industrial planning in cities like Lagos that are struggling with waste
management and high levels of pollution.
The country is also Africa's largest oil producer, accounting for 2.3 million barrels of crude per day, according to the
Agency. The Niger Delta region, where the world's biggest energy companies operate, has experienced some of the worst oil spills in
In August, a United Nations report said 50 years of oil pollution in the Ogoniland area may require the world's biggest and longest cleanup. The
14-month study showed deeper pollution than previously thought in an area that is home to about one million people. The report said it could
take 25 to 30 years to clean up the contaminated drinking water, land and ecosystems.
Pipeline vandalism to feed a black-market in oil is common in the region and often contributes to oil spills. In September, Shell said it
shut production of 25,000 barrels of crude per day in the area due to the recent upsurge of oil thefts.
8. Iran
Iran is home to the world's most polluted city Ahvaz, which has three-times the average amount of pollution in the country. Ahvaz, known
for its oil fields, is a heavily industrialized desert city of 1.3 million people.
Iran has the world's third-largest oil reserves and the second largest natural gas reserves. Locally produced, low
blamed for the country's extreme air pollution. The high-octane fuel -- much lauded by the country's leaders
petrochemical plants rather than refineries.
Iran's capital Tehran made headlines last December, when it was blanketed by smog, forcing the government to declare
several days, shuttering offices, businesses and schools. Tehran marked nearly a month of continuously high levels of pollution
reporting a spike in patients with breathing problems. The state's English language television channel Press TV said more than 80 percent
city's air pollution was attributed to the 3.5 million vehicles on the roads.
7. United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates is the world's fourth biggest oil exporter and one of the most developed economies
The country has experienced rapid economic growth over the past 30 years. UAE's oil and gas industries and the transportation sector
main contributors of air pollution. Dubai, the emirate's most populous city, is among the world's worst traffic polluters. Earlier this year, the
city's municipal government said about 42 percent of air pollution in the city comes from vehicles.
The UAE is also notorious for being one of the world's biggest producers of waste. Average household waste in its capital city
regional hub Dubai is 30 percent higher than the annual average waste produced by countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation
and Development (OECD). The UAE's water usage is also among the world's highest. In 2007, the World Wildlife Fund said the emirate has
the world's largest per capita ecological footprint, meaning the country puts the more demand on the environment than any other.
In an effort to curb environmental damage, the government introduced a series of measures in the past decade. In 2008, the government
launched the largest solar lighting project in the Middle East and North Africa in Dubai, called the Green Community. It's
tons of carbon dioxide pollution a year. The country is also on track to become free of plastic bags by 2013. It currently consumes 20
bags out of a global figure of 500 billion.
6. Egypt
Home to one of the world's oldest civilizations, Egypt is one of four African nations to make the list of the most polluted
Egypt's biggest source 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. About 95 percent of
Egypt's 730,000 motorbikes are two-stroke models that emit hydrocarbons equivalent to emissions from 10 to 15 gasoline
Greater Cairo alone, about 300,000 motorbikes release 150,000 tons of air pollution a year.
The country's struggles with air pollution were further exacerbated this February when thick clouds of tear gas and toxic fumes filled the sky
during an 18-day revolt to overthrow president Hosni Mubarak. Egypt's environmentalists have also been
every autumn when farmers burn rice chaff and other crop remnants. The pollution, known as "Black Cloud," occurs after the
responsible for over 40 percent of the air pollution in Cairo during this period.
5. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is the world's largest producer and exporter of petroleum. It also the second largest oil producer and holds one
oil reserves.
Over the past few decades, as Saudi Arabia's oil industry has boomed, environmental pollution along its 2,175
Oil, power, desalination and other industrial activities near the coast have led to sewage outflows, and oil and chemical plumes. The country
also struggles with high levels of vehicle exhausts, which account for 50 percent of hydrocarbon pollution in the air. That, added to its dry
desert climate and windstorms has led to widespread outbreaks of respiratory diseases.
The government has stepped up efforts to clean up the country's air. Earlier this month, French engineering group Alstom announced a multi
million dollar deal to supply machinery to reduce carbon emissions from power plants in Saudi Arabia's
also launched its first solar power plant this month, which is expected to save 28,000 barrels of diesel fuel
4. Senegal
Inadequate urban planning amid rapid economic development over the past few decades has landed Senegal in the top five most polluted
countries in the world.
The West African nation's pollution comes from mining, vehicle emissions and combustion of fuels for domestic energy needs. More than a
decade ago, the World Bank estimated that children exposed to smoky stoves in Senegal's Gambia region, were six times more likely to
develop acute respiratory infections.
Senegal also has high levels of auto pollution because 85 percent of all vehicles in its largest city Dakar are old and imported ones. The
age for cars is 15 years; for buses, 20 years old. About 40 percent of these vehicles have diesel engines. A World Bank transport study of
Dakar, showed that health costs associated with air pollution were equivalent to about 5 percent of its GDP. Like most countries in West
Africa, Senegal has introduced regulations to try and control air pollution, but a lack of resources makes
difficult.
The country has also been struggling to find a solution for the high concentrations of natural fluoride in
five and 15 times the acceptable standard of 0.7 milligrams per liter. High levels of fluoride can lead to tooth and bone
is piloting a program of solar-powered water filtration systems in some villages to reduce fluoride exposure.
3. Pakistan
Pakistan's air pollution is nearly ten times higher than levels considered dangerous by the WHO.
Political instability, corruption and a lack of government measures to curb carbon emissions have led to a cloak of
cities like Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. In 2008, a government study revealed that every car in Pakistan, regardless of its age,
percent more carbon than one in the U.S.
Karachi, Pakistan's biggest city has a capacity for only 700 vehicles per hour, but according to the study, there are more than 11,000 vehicles
per hour on the roads. The city, which already has more than half the country's 3.5 million vehicles, adds up to
Water pollution from raw sewage and industrial waste has also become a major problem in the country. In addition, Pakistan's water
evaporating so quickly that it will become a "water-famine" country by the end of this decade, according to the country's Centre for Research
and Security Studies.
2. Botswana
It might seem strange that a country with a population of only 2 million people, and the largest proportion of land under conservation in the
world, is the second most polluted nation in the world. But, that is the case of Botswana, 80 percent of which is covered by the Kalahari Desert.
The country was one of the poorest nations in Africa at the time of its independence from Britain in 1966. Today, Botswana is one of the
world's fastest growing economies, and the largest producer of diamonds. The country has transformed
with an annual average growth rate of about 9 percent, according to The World Bank. Mineral revenues account for about 40
government revenues.
With growing wealth, the southern African nation has experienced widespread environmental damage. Wild fires and pollution
mineral industry are the main sources of the country's poor air quality. Copper smelting for example has been blamed for sulfur dioxide and
nickel emissions.
1. Mongolia
Mongolia is the world's most polluted country and also home to one of the world's most polluted cities
The city of 1.2 million accounts for about 45 percent of Mongolia's population. During the coldest months of the year
-- Ulaanbaatar's horizon is completely hidden behind a thick grey-brown smoky haze.
The country's main sources of pollution are its traditional coal-fuelled stoves and boilers used for heating and cooking, as well as congested
traffic and old cars. Heating is essential for the survival of its people for about eight months of year. The
wood to refuse, such as black tar-dipped bricks and old car tires to fuel stoves and boilers. Ulaanbaatar's dry climate
further worsen its dangerous levels of airborne dust.
Rapid urbanization has also been a major factor behind the country's pollution problem. Ulaanbaatar's population has expanded by 70 percent
over the last 20 years with the city's infrastructure unable to keep up with growth. With an air pollution level 14
standard threat level, the number of premature deaths, chronic bronchitis and respiratory related hospital
government has been trying to mitigate the problems by introducing measures such as cleaner coal-based fuel and modern
pollution crisis.
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The Worlds Most Polluted Cities

Rajeshni Naidu-Ghelani, On Monday 10 October 2011, 18:06 SGT

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