Delhi has overtaken Beijing as the world’s most polluted city, report says

Air pollution in the Indian capital Delhi has reached a serious level, a new study says—making it the world’s most polluted city, ahead of Beijing.

The study by the Centre for Science and Environment, a non-government organisation based in New Delhi, found that levels of PM10 (atmospheric particulate matter ≤10 micrometres in size) increased by about 47% in Delhi from 2000 to 2011, whereas in Beijing they decreased by about 40% from 2000 to 2013. “PM10 levels in Delhi are nearly double that of Beijing,” said the study.1

It added, “Both the cities face serious pressures to clean up their air; both have unique challenges. But Delhi seems to lack Beijing’s scale, stringency and frenetic pace …