City air pollution increases
According to a WHO database some 80% of the people living in urban areas are exposed to air quality levels that exceed WHO limits. The assessment shows that 98% of cities in low- and middle income countries with more than 100 000 inhabitants exceed the quality guidelines while in high-income countries, the percentage is 56%.
During the period 2008 to 2013 urban air pollution levels increased by 8% in general, despite improvements in some regions. The lowest urban air pollution levels were monitored in high-income countries, with lower levels in Europe, the Americas, and the Western Pacific Region. The highest urban air pollution levels were monitored in low-and middle-income countries in Eastern Mediterranean and South-East Asia Regions and Western Pacific Region.
In the African Region, urban air pollution data remains low but particulate matter (PM) levels were above the median.
Poor air quality increases the risk of lung cancer, and chronic and acute respiratory diseases, including asthma for the people who live in these areas.