CNN – Air pollution levels around the world in 2021 reached unhealthy levels, as reported by IQAir, a company that monitors global air quality. The study revealed that the average annual air pollution in every country and 97% of cities exceeded the air quality guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Only 222 cities out of the 6,475 analyzed managed to meet the WHO standards. The French territory of New Caledonia, as well as the US territories of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, were the only territories that met the guidelines. India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh were among the countries with the highest levels of air pollution, surpassing the guidelines by at least 10 times. On the other hand, Scandinavian countries, Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United Kingdom ranked among the countries with the best air quality. However, their average pollution levels still exceeded the guidelines by 1 to 2 times. In the United States, air pollution exceeded the WHO guidelines by 2 to 3 times in 2021. Glory Dolphin Hammes, the CEO of IQAir North America, emphasized the need for governments worldwide to reduce global air pollution and establish stricter air quality standards. The report by IQAir is the first major global air quality report based on the updated annual air pollution guidelines released by WHO in September 2021. The new guidelines reduced the acceptable concentration of fine particulate matter, or PM 2.5, from 10 to 5 micrograms per cubic meter. PM 2.5 is a hazardous pollutant that can enter the bloodstream and is associated with various health risks, including respiratory illnesses, heart disease, and asthma. Millions of people die each year due to air quality-related issues, with 4.2 million premature deaths in 2016 attributed to fine particulate matter. Implementing the 2021 guidelines could have potentially prevented 3.3 million pollution-related deaths, according to the WHO. IQAir’s analysis included pollution-monitoring stations in 6,475 cities across 117 countries, regions, and territories. In the US, air pollution levels increased in 2021 compared to the previous year. Los Angeles remained the most polluted city, despite a 6% decrease in pollution levels. Atlanta and Minneapolis experienced significant increases in pollution. Fossil fuel-powered transportation, energy production, and wildfires were identified as the main sources of pollution in the US. Climate change-fueled wildfires played a significant role in reducing air quality in the US. China, which is also among the countries with high air pollution levels, demonstrated improved air quality in 2021. Over half of the Chinese cities analyzed in the report experienced decreased pollution levels, with Beijing witnessing a five-year trend of improvement due to the implementation of measures to reduce polluting industries. The report also highlighted the emission of more carbon dioxide than absorption by the Amazon Rainforest in 2021, posing a threat to the global climate crisis. The report showcased inequalities in air quality monitoring, particularly in developing countries in Africa, South America, and the Middle East, where there is a lack of data. The IQAir report emphasized the need for nations to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and shift towards renewable energy sources in order to combat air pollution and mitigate the effects of global warming.