The Top 10 Cities With the Worst Air Quality in 2024

The year 2024 has seen persistent air quality challenges in major cities, primarily due to industrial emissions, vehicle pollution, and climate-related factors. Topping the list are cities like Delhi, Lahore, and Dhaka, which frequently record AQI levels in the ‘hazardous’ range. These cities face a toxic cocktail of PM 2.5, PM 10, and other pollutants due to a combination of population density and inadequate environmental regulations.

Other cities like Beijing and Karachi also struggle with high pollution levels driven by industrial activities and coal reliance. Surprisingly, developed nations aren’t exempt, with Los Angeles and Milan grappling with seasonal smog and vehicle emissions. The health implications are severe: increased respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, reduced life expectancy, and mounting healthcare costs. Collaborative action on renewable energy, stricter policies, and public awareness is critical to reversing this trend.