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5 most polluting countries in the world

affected by smog
SHI KHA GOYAL
NOV 16, 2016 13:01 IST

To ensure happy and healthy life it is necessary to live in the cleanest countries of the world
which are free from pollution or at least non-polluted. As, the polluted air contains very small
particles known as particulate matter like dust, dirt, smoke, pollen etc. which can be inhaled
easily and cause severe respiratory or chronic diseases and also difficulty in breathing. This
may be difficult to cure and may lead to death. Polluted countries are not only poor countries
even rich countries are also facing the problem of air pollution. PM 2.5 is the best indicator
which is used to measure the health impacts from air pollution and the concentration of air
pollution is measured in micrograms per cubic meter of air.

Top 5 polluting countries in the world and what all measures they are
taking to curb it
1. China

Source: www.bc05.ajmn.me.com
Pollution is one of the wider aspects of environmental issues in China which is posing great
threat to health. As capital of China, Beijing is suffering from PM 2.5 which stands for the size
of the particles of pollution. The 2.5 size is the most detrimental because it can travel deep in
to the lungs and cause a variety of ailments. These particles may be dust, smoke or mold etc.
Such fine particles can cause asthma, bronchitis, acute and chronic respiratory symptoms,
painful breathing and may leads to premature death.

To reduce air pollution, the Chinese Government has made laws and working in many
streams:

- They have planned to tackle air pollution problem on its official website. The main goal of
the plan is to reduce coal consumption by closing polluting mills, factories, smelters and
switching to other eco-friendly energy sources.
- Focussing on the development of other energy sources like nuclear, hydro and compressed
natural gas to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

- To achieve negative coal consumption growth by 2017 by replacing coal with electricity
generated from natural gas and non-fossil fuel energy. Aims in making completely coal-free
by 2020.

- Installed Air purifiers and Home Pollution detectors. Birdi is a device which appears
similar in style to a traditional smoke detector, but also monitors the air quality in a room (and
acts as a carbon monoxide detector as well as a fire and smoke alarm).

- Electronic trees. A water filtration system to remove carbon dioxide and bacteria from the
air. The Super tree can purify up to 200,000 cubic meters of air per day.

- Building airtight domes. The Sports Dome, at Dulwich College Beijing covers around four
badminton courts and enables students to play sports without suffering the city’s pollution.

2. U.S. Or America

Source:www. google.co.in

We know America is a giant power but it is also one of the worst countries in terms of Carbon
Dioxide emissions or air pollution. 17th annual report 2015 shows that the city is facing worst
particle pollution problem. Increased heat, changes in climate patterns, drought and wild fires
are all related to climate change, which has contributed to the extraordinarily high numbers
of days with unhealthy particulate matter.

The Government announces strong measures to cut back CO2 emissions having more
than 600 electric power stations.

- The state had cut down various coal-power plants and vehicles.

- Advancement in green technology.

- The Control Strategy Tool supports the assessment of emission reductions.

- Weatherization assistance Program.

- Commercial Building and Residential Building integration build America Project. In this
project the hydraulic fracturing boom technique is used which helps in releasing less carbon
dioxide in to the Earth’s atmosphere rather than coal or oil.

* Hydraulic Fracturing is a technique in which rock is fractured by a pressurized liquid.

3. Brazil
Source: www.google.co.in

This country is experiencing economic development in recent years which further somewhere
results in to the greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. This is also increased due to
the speedy deforestation of the Amazon region.

Measures taken by the Government to curb the air pollution are:

- Using of lead-free gasoline in the vehicles.

- Improving the quality of diesel by lowering its sulphur content.

- More fuel efficient vehicles are used like hybrid gas-electric vehicles.

- Greenpeace organisation a Non Governmental organisation helps in defending the

environment by raising awareness about environmental issues and influence people to
change their habits.

- Adoption of biomass cook stoves with chimneys or use of LPG or natural gas which is free
from PM 2.5

15 amazing Science facts that will blow your mind!

4. Japan
Source:www.media.gettyimages.com

Here also the pollution is getting worse day by day basically in Fukushima which is just at the
tip of the iceberg. 3.8% target is set up by the Japanese government to reduce emissions by
2020. In 2014 the pollution was raised highest and it was recommended to use masks and
limit trips abroad.

Further measures taken by the government are:

- Desulfurizing fuel gas, popularising dust collectors, improving combustion in automobile

engines and converting fuel to unleaded gasoline.

- "Environmental Pollution Diet Session" was held in 1970, to regulate the use of harmful
substances like nitrogen oxides, fluorine, chlorine, cadmium etc.

- Automobile NOx Reduction Law to achieve environmental standards for NOx and Diesel
Vehicle Regulation.

- Compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vehicles, electric
vehicles and hybrid vehicles are low-emission vehicles which are promoted to use them in
the cars.

5. Qatar
Source: ww.static.qatarliving.com

It ranks as the second worst polluted country on earth with PM 2.5. It is due to the heavy
construction in the small area and biggest growing international airports have converged to
create truly terrible air quality.

Measures taken by Qatar to reduce air pollution are:

- The Sahara Forest Project, as the name suggest it is not like that; there is no Sahara desert
in Qatar but the art or techniques to plant trees, bushes and bring sustainable water and
energy designs like that of desert surrounding the city’s countryside.

- To reduce the desert temperatures, they trap seawater and evaporate it in to the air so that
humid climate is generated. Due to this pollution level will be decreased in Qatar.

- Removing some desert ecosystems which are existing since thousands of years which don't
pave much impact on an overall environment stability.

So, we have seen that the main cause of climate change is anthropogenic greenhouse gas
emission. And it is necessary to curb the emissions and pressure exerted by the humans on
the planet. And now the situation is critical, the International Energy Agency’s assessment
says if we continue emissions like this it will be 130% by 2050.