We've become accustomed to the United Arab Emirates topping all kinds of rankings boasting the biggest, tallest, and most-expensive. Well, the UAE has managed to do it again, although we doubt it will be bragging this time.
A recently released report by the World Bank reveals that air in the UAE is the worst in the world. The report, included as part of " The Little Green Data Book " – an annual report issued by the World Bank – utilized an adjusted measurement for air pollution this year.
According to the World Bank's website, "All air pollution indicators are now expressed as exposure to suspended particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM 2.5), as opposed to the earlier measure of particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter (PM 10)."
Traditionally, China and India are criticized for their terrible air pollution. However, the UAE's air contains 80 micrograms of pollutants per cubic meter as opposed to China's 73 and India's 32. Both China and India are generally criticized for their highly polluted capital cities.
This fact is particularly disturbing for UAE residents as the World Bank's website also points out that, "Poor air quality is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, claiming the lives of more than 7 million people, 90 percent of whom live in low- and middle-income countries."
Yikes. Let's hope the wise leaders of the UAE figure out a way to address this issue asap.
View the complete report below.
http://issuu.com/world.bank.publications/docs/9781464805608/1