Particulate Problem

There's no safe level of PM 2.5s. These tiny, airbourne carbon particles are mainly expelled by diesel cars, trucks, industrial processes. wood-burning stoves and wildfires. They have been clearly linked to ill-health and early deaths. A Swiss air quality organisation report on PM 2.5s levels in 134 countries has just emerged (https://www.iqair.com/dl/world-air-quality-report-press-kit/2023/2023_WAQR_Press_Release.pdf). Their IQ Air Report 2023, found that only 7 countries had atmospheric levels of PM 2.5s within the current World Health Organisation's (WHO) limits. These were Australia; Estonia; Finland; Grenada; Iceland; Mauritius and New Zeland. None of these locations have high human densities and/or intense industry. Pakistan had the worst air pollution. Its PM 2.5 levels were 14 times the WHO standard. Pakistan was closely followed by India, Tajikstan and Burkina Faso. Even normally relatively prestine Canada, had very high air particulate levels in 2023. These were clearly consequence of the record wildfires seen in that country that year. Countries have not managed this form of atmospheric pollution very well. Their attitude generally seems to be, 'if you can't see it, don't let it worry you'!