Which city was ranked as the most polluted in the world in the World Air Quality Report 2025?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
Solution: The correct answer is Loni.
Explanation:
☛ According to the World Air Quality Report, Loni, located in the Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh, India, was ranked as the most polluted city in the world.
☛ The ranking is primarily assessed based on the concentration of fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5.
☛ Rapid industrialisation, heavy vehicular traffic, construction dust, and seasonal biomass burning contribute to the severe pollution levels in the region.
☛ Exposure to high levels of PM2.5 poses severe health hazards, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ IQAir: A Swiss air quality technology organisation that compiles and publishes the annual World Air Quality Report.
☛ WHO Air Quality Guidelines: The World Health Organization recommends that the annual average concentration of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 µg/m³.
☛ Lahore: The capital of Punjab province in Pakistan, consistently ranked among the world's most polluted metropolitan cities.
☛ Delhi: Frequently featured among the most polluted capital cities globally due to meteorological and regional emission factors.
☛ National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Launched by the Government of India in January 2019 to reduce particulate matter pollution across selected cities.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ Which Swiss organisation publishes the global World Air Quality Report? → IQAir
☛ What is the WHO recommended annual average limit for PM2.5 concentration? → 5 µg/m³
☛ In which year was India's National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) launched? → 2019
☛ In which district of Uttar Pradesh is the town of Loni situated? → Ghaziabad
☛ Which pollutant is considered most hazardous to human health due to its microscopic size? → PM2.5