This small city has the world’s worst air

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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on CNN or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Loni has been identified as the most polluted city in the world, according to a global air quality ranking based on particulate pollution levels

🔭 The context: The ranking, compiled by IQAir, evaluates cities based on PM2.5 concentrations, tiny airborne particles that penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream
• Loni recorded an annual average of 112.5 µg/m³, driven by industrial emissions, traffic pollution, construction dust, and seasonal agricultural burning across northern India

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Severe air pollution poses major public health risks, contributing to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and developmental impacts in children
• The findings highlight the ongoing challenge faced by rapidly urbanizing regions where economic growth, industrial activity, and weak environmental enforcement combine to degrade air quality

⏭️ What’s next: India’s government launched the National Clean Air Programme aiming to cut particulate pollution by 40% by 2025–26, but experts say progress has been uneven due to limited enforcement and coordination
• Local authorities continue exploring solutions ranging from industrial controls to experimental interventions such as cloud seeding

💬 One quote: “Forget coughing, even breathing is difficult here,” - Manoj Kumar, a local resident

📈 One stat: Loni’s PM2.5 concentration was 22 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended safe limit

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