Beijing 6th Most Polluted City in the World
By Justine Lopez
Beijing has placed sixth on the list of the world's most polluted megacities, according to recent data collected by the World Health Organization (WHO). The study compared levels of fine particulates – PM10 and PM2.5 – in 11 cities with populations over 14 million.
The average annual levels of PM2.5 in Beijing was 85 μg/m3 in 2015, while the average for Shanghai was 52 μg/m3.
PM10 and PM2.5 contain sulfates, nitrates and black carbon, all of which can lead to extreme damage in health. Both can cause lung cancer, asthma, heart disease, strokes and other respiratory problems.
The study measured PM10 levels in major urban areas between 2011 and 2015. Delhi was the most polluted with 225 μg/m3, followed by Cairo (175), Dhaka (160), Kolkata (140), Mumbai (120), Beijing and Shanghai. Mexico City, Istanbul, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires also made the list.
Research has shown that around 80 percent of people living in urban environments which monitor pollution are exposed to poor air that does not meet WHO standards.
[Photo via Breaking Energy]
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