The Top 10 Cities With the Worst Traffic and Car Pollution.

Source: Southside Motor Factors (data based on TomTom Traffic Index 2016)

These 10 cities have the worst traffic congestion in the world. But what is also shocking is how much air pollution exists in large cities around the world. The World Health Organisation has measured that “More than 80% of people living in urban areas that monitor air pollution are exposed to air quality levels that exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) limits. While all regions of the world are affected, populations in low-income cities are the most impacted.”

The United Nations Environment Programme has estimated that “more than 1 billion people are exposed to outdoor air pollution annually. Urban air pollution is linked to up to 1 million premature deaths and 1 million pre-native deaths each year. Urban air pollution is estimated to cost approximately 2% of GDP in developed countries and 5% in developing countries. Rapid urbanisation has resulted in increasing urban air pollution in major cities, especially in developing countries. Over 90% of air pollution in cities in these countries is attributed to vehicle emissions brought about by high number of older vehicles coupled with poor vehicle maintenance, inadequate infrastructure and low fuel quality.

While most developed countries have put in measures to reduce vehicle emissions, in terms of fuel quality and vehicle emission reduction technologies, these measures are yet to be adopted in most cities in developing countries.”

Below is a list of the particle matter (PM) air pollution in these 10 cities and their global pollution level rank. Note that PM2.5 is much more dangerous than PM10.

10. Los Angeles, USA

Global pollution position: 605

PM2.5: 20 (2012)

PM10: 33

9. Chengdu, China

Global position: 133

PM2.5: 47

PM10: 102 (2010)

8. Recife, Brazil

Global position: 472

PM2.5: 24

PM10: 45 (2012)

7. Salvador, Brazil

Global position: 383

PM2.5: 28

PM10: 52 (2011)

6. Bucharest, Romania

Global position: 471

PM2.5: 24 (2010)

PM10: 40 (2012)

5. Moscow, Russia

Global position: 550

PM2.5: 22

PM10: 33 (2009)

4. Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Global position: 260

PM2.5: 36

PM10: 67 (2010)

3. Istanbul, Turkey

Global position: 317

PM2.5: 32

PM10: 48 (2011)

2. Bangkok, Thailand

Global position: 590

PM2.5: 20

PM10: 38 (2012)

1. Mexico City, Mexico

Global position: 461

PM2.5: 25 (2011)

PM10: 93 (2011)