Which Seven Countries Meet WHO Dirty Air Guidelines?

The latest research points out that only seven countries around the world meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines for air quality, which emphasizes the global problem of dealing with air pollution. These countries include Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius and New Zealand. It is worth noting that considering that 92% of countries and regions exceeds the WHO’s particulate pollution guidelines, including some of the world’s major economies such as the United States and Canada.

Whose air quality guide summary

Who identified health-based guides for air pollutants such as particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), and carbon monoxide (CO). The PM2.5 guide level is 5 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³), which is important for ensuring public health. PM2.5 particles are the most destructive because they can enter the deep lung and blood system, putting people at increased risk of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular complications and lung cancer.

The country that meets the criteria

Australia: With strong environmental policies, Australia has made air quality in line with WHO guidelines.

  • Estonia: Estonia is a Baltic country and has successfully maintained low pollution levels due to its effective measures.
  • Finland: Finland’s focus on sustainable practices and strict environmental laws ensures that it meets WHO standards.
  • Grenada: As a small island state, the sparse industrial activity and natural landscape of Grenada are the causes of its fresh air.
  • Iceland: Iceland’s clean natural landscape and sparse population ensure it is one of the cleanest countries in the air quality index.
  • Mauritius: Mauritius is an island state in the Indian Ocean and retains a firm commitment to environmental protection, which ensures its air quality is under WHO standards.
  • New Zealand: New Zealand is known for its natural scenery and green policies and has always been the top priority in air quality.

Global Air Pollution Challenge

Despite these successes, the global air pollution crisis remains severe. Countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan and India face extreme levels of pollution, usually ten times or more than WHO guidelines. The United States ranks 33rd in the world with an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 9.1 µg/m³, which is much higher than the WHO guidelines.

Solutions and future directions

Improving global air quality requires a multi-pronged strategy, including reducing reliance on fossil fuels, increasing stricter emission controls, increasing air quality monitoring and raising public awareness. The upcoming Air Pollution and Health Conference is designed to mobilize global action to address this crucial public health challenge.

Although only seven countries comply with WHO air quality standards, their success shows that people want to properly manage air pollution in accordance with policies and management environments. The world must work together to deal with the widespread air pollution problem of millions around the world.