Most Cities Fail To Meet WHO Air Quality Standards, New Data Show

News outlets report on new data from the WHO showing deteriorating air quality worldwide.

BBC News: Air pollution ‘too high’ in most of world’s cities
“The World Health Organization says air pollution in many of the world’s cities is breaching its guidelines. Its survey of 1,600 cities in 91 countries revealed that nearly 90 percent of people in urban centers breathe air that fails to meet levels deemed safe…” (Morelle, 5/7).

U.N. News Centre: ‘Enveloped in dirty air,’ most cities fail to meet U.N. agency’s new pollution guidelines
“Many of the world’s cities are ‘enveloped in dirty air’ that is dangerous [to] breathe, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) said today, warning that urban dwellers are being exposed to excessive air pollution and are at a risk of respiratory diseases and other long-term health problems…” (5/7).

United Press International: Most cities fail air pollution guidelines, U.N. says
“…About half of the urban populations in the cities in question are exposed to air pollution at least 2.5 times higher than the guidelines suggest…” (Adamczyk, 5/7).

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