Manama Tops Global Air-Pollution Ranking as Dust Storms Drive ‘Unhealthy’ AQI

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Manama, capital of Bahrain, reached the top of the worldwide air pollution charts late Tuesday U.S. time. This was due to strong dust storms and emissions from cities that made the air quality “unhealthy,” according to IQAir. The outlet said that at 11:30 p.m. PT on August 26, Manama was the most polluted large city in the world, with PM2.5 being the main cause.

“These conditions can cause severe respiratory issues, worsen heart problems, and impair lung function, especially for children, the elderly, and those with health vulnerabilities”, IQAir said. In 2024, Manama’s average PM2.5 level was 31.8 µg/m³, which is around an AQI of 93, or “moderate.” This is nearly 6.36 times the annual limit of 5 µg/m³ set by the World Health Organization.

What’s next: Air quality is expected to remain poor through the day, with localized improvement possible if winds shift; short-term dips below AQI 150 may occur, IQAir reported.