"Majority of Countries Exceed WHO Air Quality Standards, with Asia Dominating Worst Polluted Cities"

A recent study by IQAir found that only 10 out of 134 countries and territories met the World Health Organization's standards for fine particulate matter pollution, with most countries exceeding the recommended levels. This form of air pollution, known as PM2.5, is linked to millions of premature deaths annually and is primarily caused by fossil fuel emissions. The countries with the worst air quality were predominantly in Asia and Africa, while the few areas meeting the guidelines were mostly islands, Australia, and northern European countries.