Four of the world’s worst-ranked cities for air quality are in Nigeria

New data from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that four of the world’s 20 worst-ranked cities for air quality are in Nigeria (at least among cities of more than 100,000 inhabitants that monitor their air quality). Onitsha, a densely-populated commercial center in Nigeria’s east, had the worst air quality tested, judged by the annual mean concentrations of particulate matter (PM10). Onitsha recorded 30 times more than the WHO’s recommended levels of particulate matter concentration. Three other Nigerian cities—Kaduna, Umuahia and Aba—also feature on the list of the 20 worst-ranked cities. Two of those, Aba and Onitsha, are manufacturing cities in the industrial hub of eastern Nigeria. The list is dominated by cities in South East Asia and the Middle East. India, Iran, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia each have three cities on the list, while Bahrain and Afghanistan have two each. China, with well-documented air pollution problems, had only one city, Shijiazhuang, on the list. Around the world, the WHO says air pollution has risen by 8% over the last five years in the cities tested, with urban air quality data showing that 98% of cities with over 100,000 inhabitants in low and middle-income countries fall short of recommended guidelines. Among high-income countries, 56% of cities do not meet WHO recommended guidelines. For governments, fixing air pollution problems is crucial, as poor air quality increases the risks of heart and respiratory diseases and lung cancer. Estimates peg annual deaths caused by air pollution at 5.5 million—more than any other environmental risk. china, nigeria, air pollution, who, world health organization 💬+ Add your insights READ THIS NEXT The return of migrants from Europe is causing problems for The Gambia November 21, 2019Quartz Africa RECOMMENDED STORIES IGNORANCE IS NOT BLISS Africa is home to some of the world’s most polluted cities—here’s why the air quality is not improving Quartz Africa In this April 4, 2017 photo, Javier Sua demonstrates how he uses an inhaler at his home in Fresno, Calif. He uses it to combat asthma, made worse by air pollution in the San Joaquin Valley. On some days, his mother keeps him inside, when he would rather be rough-housing on the backyard trampoline, but the risks are too high. Hundreds of people each year in the San Joaquin Valley die premature deaths from poor air quality. PASS THE OXYGEN TANK These are the US cities with the worst air pollution Quartz india-air-pollution-pm2.5-indoor-household DEATH BY BREATH Air pollution is a bigger killer than tobacco use in India Quartz India KILLER AIR Air pollution in Europe is reducing the average lifespan by 2 years Quartz SMOKE SIGNALS What it’s like to raise children in the world’s most polluted capital Quartz Vehicles drive through smog in New Delhi, India, November 8, 2018. EXPOSED Air pollution in India caused 1.2 million deaths last year Quartz BREATHE EASY The few Indian cities where you can avoid living with deadly air pollution Quartz India #STOPTHESOOT A mystery soot has set off an air pollution panic in Nigeria’s oil hub city Quartz Africa Pollution India CHOKED FIRST At last, India is on track to beat China at something—air pollution Quartz India beijing large air purifier BREATHE IN An air purifier the size of a building is sucking up China’s smog and turning it into jewelry Quartz LOOKING UP The middle-class American family saw the largest income boost on record last year Quartz India-pollution-air UNCLEAN DATA Ranking the world’s “most polluted cities” is good for clickbait headlines, not a cleaner planet Quartz India HOLD YOUR BREATH World Health Organization: People in 80% of reporting cities are breathing harmful air Quartz