An article on CNN Wednesday reports that three Nigerian cities top the ranking as the world’s most polluted cities. The article was based on a data released by the World Health Organization (WHO).
According to CNN, Four of the worst cities in the world for air pollution are in Nigeria, according to data released by the World Health Organization (WHO). Onitsha has the undignified honor of being labeled the world’s most polluted city for air quality, when measuring small particulate matter concentration (PM10).
The report reveals Onitsha recorded 30 times more than the WHO’s recommended levels of PM10. The other three cities named and shamed in the WHO report for high PM10 levels are the transport hub of Kaduna, in the north, which came fifth, followed by the cities of Aba — in sixth place — and Umuahia, in 16th position, which are both trade centers in southern Nigeria.
Aba and Umuahia are both located in Abia State, while all three except for Kaduna are located in the South Eastern Part of Nigeria.
The article also attempted to explain why Nigeria is so polluted.
The cause of Nigeria’s pollution problem is a complex story.“The contributing factors to pollution are a reliance on using solid fuels for cooking, burning waste and traffic pollution from very old cars,” Dr Maria Neira, WHO Director, Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health, tells CNN.At home, due to unreliable electricity supplies, many Nigerians rely on generators, which spew out noxious fumes often in unventilated areas. On the street, car emissions go unregulated.
