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15 Worst Cities to Breathe In Right Now

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Ever inhaled deeply and thought, “Hmm, is oxygen supposed to taste crunchy?” Some cities turn breathing into an extreme sport, complete with smoggy skies and air thicker than grandma’s oatmeal. Hold your breath—or maybe don’t—as this article reveals a few cities where casually strolling could feel like smoking a pack of cigarettes.

Byrnihat, India

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This small but heavily industrialized town in India has an average PM2.5 level of 128.2 µg/m³—more than 25 times the World Health Organization’s recommended limit. Coal-fired factories, cement plants, and chemical industries pump toxic particles into the sky. Locals are used to the smog, but it’s a choking experience for outsiders.

Delhi, India

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Anyone who’s been to Delhi knows the routine full of smog masks, eye-watering air, and news reports urging people to stay inside. Its average PM2.5 level of 108.3 µg/m³ makes it a smoke chamber in the winter. On bad days, the air smells like a campfire—except it’s not the kind you’d want to roast marshmallows over.

Karaganda, Kazakhstan

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Karaganda’s air is thick enough to chew. It was once a central coal-mining hub, and still relies on coal for heat and electricity. This results in permanent haze that leaves streets, homes, and lungs coated in soot. PM2.5 levels hover around 104.8 µg/m³, so fresh air is rare.

Lahore, Pakistan

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

This Pakistani city often competes with Delhi for the “most polluted major city” title at PM2.5 levels, hitting 102.1 µg/m³. The main culprits are brick kilns, unregulated industrial emissions, and relentless traffic. The problem worsens in winter when temperature inversions trap pollutants near the ground.