WHO report says 4 Indian cities among 10 most polluted in world

Four Indian cities are among the worst air polluted 10 cities across the world, said a report released by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh, Patna in Bihar and Raipur in Chhattisgarh have higher levels of air pollution.

The Indian capital city New Delhi figures at number 11.

As per the latest report released on Thursday, the study showed that many of the world's most polluted cities were located in fast-developing nations.

"While all regions of the world are affected, populations in low-income cities are the most impacted," a statement issued by WHO said

The worst levels of air pollution has been recorded in the eastern Iranian city of Zabol, where the air has been founded suspended with particulate matter with PM2.5 reading of 217.

Gwalior and Patna in India rank at No. 2 and No. 3 with particulate matter reading of 176 and 170 respectively.

The pollutants in the air increases the risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma, for the people living in polluted cities.

The study examined air quality in 3,000 cities, towns and villages across 103 countries.

The findings of the study are based on data analyzed during five year period between 2008 and 2013.

According to the latest urban air quality database, 98 percent of cities in low-income and middle income countries with more than 100,000 inhabitants do not meet WHO air quality guidelines.

However, in high-income countries, that percentage decreases to 56 percent.