All about Air Pollution – Most polluted places around the world, Effects of Air pollution and Plants that fight Indoor Air-pollution

​

We are hearing a lot of cities including national capitals like New Delhi are becoming too much unbearable to live in because of worsening air-pollution. How actually cities score as per World Health Organization’s (WHO) rankings?

As per rankings based on PM2.5 which refers to fine particles (Particulate Matter 2.5 micrometers or smaller in diameter) that are produced by combustion, including motor vehicles, power plants, forest fires, and some industrial processes etc. They are more dangerous because they can enter our lungs and damage the respiratory system since they are very fine. As per WHO, reading above 300 is hazardous. (The reading is expressed in micro-grams per cubic meter.) The safe limit has been set as annual average of 10 or below.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

However certain cities have seen dangerously spikes in PM2.5 levels like Igdir in Turkey hitting a whopping 999, Piedras Negras, Mexico, the figure is 814 and New Delhi crossing 700.

Average PM2.5 readings are very good in cities like in Los Angeles it is 11, in London it’s 15, in Paris it is 18.

Top 10 most polluted countries based on analysis by website aqicn.org (The rankings are based on population weighted PM2.5 readings i.e. if a clean city is highly populated and other cities in the country with less population are more polluted, the country may be considered as cleaner.)

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Data Source - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/asia/india/articles/delhi-most-polluted-city-in-the-world/

​

The air-pollution has very bad effects. As per WHO study

​

Source - http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs313/en/

​

Air pollution is a major environmental risk to health. Air pollution is a cause of diseases like stroke, heart diseases, lung cancer, and both chronic and acute respiratory diseases, including asthma etc. Countries can save on healthcare costs if they tackle air pollution effectively.

The lower levels of air pollution will lead to better cardiovascular and respiratory health.

Outdoor air pollution (in both cities and rural areas) was estimated to cause 3 million premature deaths worldwide in 2012.

Some 88% of those premature deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries, and the greatest number in the Western Pacific and South-East Asia regions.

​

Some of the Plants are very effective in controlling the Indoor air-pollution. They can be planted inside our homes; they don’t need much of space as they don’t grow like banyan trees but they give tons of fresh air while growing in shades and some of them hardly require any sunlight. As per NASA, indoor plants can be extremely useful in absorbing harmful gases and clean the air indoors.

​

The indoor pollutants that affect the health are:

​

– Formaldehyde, which comes from carpets and particle boards

​

– Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) which comes solvents and chemicals in perfumes, hair sprays, air fresheners and furniture polish

​

– Biological pollutants which constitute of dust, fungi, allergens

​

– Carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxides

​

All these pollutants contribute to ‘sick building syndrome’, which cause symptoms ranging from allergies, headaches, dizziness to nervous system disorders, cancer and death.

​

As per NDTV, following plants can be kept indoor to fight air-pollution. (Source - http://sites.ndtv.com/breathe-clean/10-indoor-plants-that-improve-air-quality)

​

1. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)

Aloe Vera is a succulent, perennial plant that has the ability to filter benzene and formaldehyde. There are about 250 varieties you can choose from. It is easy-to-grow and requires a lot of sunlight.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

2. Spider Plant (Chlorohytum comosum)

NASA has named the Spider Plant is one of the best indoor plants to remove formaldehyde from indoor air. It also battles benzene, carbon monoxide and xylene. You can neglect this plant all you want, but its resilience keeps it alive.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

3. Gerber Daisies (Gerbera jamesonii)

Gerber Daisies have bright and colorful flowers. Not only do they look beautiful, they are great at absorbing carbon monoxide and benzene. This plant gives off oxygen at night; it is ideal for bedrooms.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

4. Snake Plants (Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’)

Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, this plant is one of the best at filtering out formaldehyde. It also helps in eliminating nitrogen dioxide. Even at night, it takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen. This makes for a good bedroom plant. It requires minimal sunlight and water and is not very difficult to maintain.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

5. Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea Sefritzii)

This plant is a natural humidifier which can be beneficial in areas with dry air. It helps eliminate carbon monoxide, xylene, benzene and formaldehyde. They thrive in shady indoor spaces and often produce small flowers and berries.

​

​