Air pollution is a major health concern worldwide, yet most cities experience poor air conditions. According to the World Health Organisation, 99 per cent of the world's population live in areas that do not meet the recommended air quality levels. The latest World Air Quality Report by the Swiss company IQAir shows that 12 out of the 138 countries analysed (fewer than 10 per cent) have concentrations of PM2.5 fine particulates below the WHO guideline 5.0 µg/m³ (micrograms per cubic metre).
Most and least polluted regions
The World Air Quality Report ranks cities and countries according to their average PM2.5 concentration. These fine particles or chemicals in the atmosphere threaten the environment and the health of living organisms. New Delhi in India and N'Djamena in Chad have the highest PM2.5 concentrations, with 91.8 and 91.6 µg/m³, while the highest ranking countries are Chad and Bangladesh, with 91.8 and 78 µg/m³ PM2.5 concentrations, respectively.
Chad was also found to be the most polluted country in 2022 and 2024. Due to a lack of data in 2023, a direct comparison for that year is not available. Most of the nation's pollutants come from the Sahara, vehicle emissions, uncontrolled crop burning and pollutants from heavy industry.
Seven Caribbean countries are among the 12 with the lowest PM2.5 concentration. The Bahamas, and its capital, Nassau, have the lowest with 2.3 µg/m³.
The Middle East in 2024 “showed moderate improvements, with PM2.5 levels dropping in each country across the region”, the report states. Iraq and the UAE continue to be among the region's most polluted countries, with Iraq in 13th position and the Emirates 17th worldwide. However, the UAE experienced one of the most notable reductions in PM2.5 concentrations in the Middle East, a 22 per cent drop compared to 2023.
Risks from air pollution
PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter that is less than or equal to 2.5 microns in diameter. To give an idea of the size, a single human hair is 50 to 180 microns. These particles are so small they can penetrate the lungs and, in some cases, enter the bloodstream.
Children are considered particularly vulnerable to air pollution because of their activity levels and behaviour, for example, the amount of time they spend outside. They are also susceptible because their breathing rates are higher than those of adults and they take in more air per kilogram of body weight.
What can governments and people do?
There is no one-size-fits-all solution but a series of actions can help reduce the problem. These include integrating WHO air quality guidelines into future standards, dedicating funding to renewable energy projects and increasing the number of government-operated air quality monitoring stations.
Individual actions include supporting air quality projects, reducing outdoor activities during times of high air pollution and improving indoor air quality with filtration and purification systems.
The%C2%A0specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.5-litre%2C%20twin-turbo%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E410hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E495Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Estarts%20from%20Dh495%2C000%20(Dh610%2C000%20for%20the%20F-Sport%20launch%20edition%20tested)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO
Liverpool v Manchester City, Sunday, 8.30pm UAE
The specs: 2018 Peugeot 5008
Price, base / as tested: Dh99,900 / Dh134,900
Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 165hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 240Nm @ 1,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.8L / 100km
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
MATCH INFO
Championship play-offs, second legs:
Aston Villa 0
Middlesbrough 0
(Aston Villa advance 1-0 on aggregate)
Fulham 2
Sessegnon (47'), Odoi (66')
Derby County 0
(Fulham advance 2-1 on aggregate)
Final
Saturday, May 26, Wembley. Kick off 8pm (UAE)
Tewellah by Nawal Zoghbi is out now.
More on Coronavirus in France
Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
The BIO
Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.
Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.
Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.
Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.
THE%20FLASH
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Andy%20Muschietti%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sasha%20Calle%2C%20Ben%20Affleck%2C%20Ezra%20Miller%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
