World’s Most Polluted Town in India Sees Rise in Respiratory Problems and Skin Issues

(The Post News)- Two-year-old Sumaiya Ansari from Byrnihat, India, struggled with breathing issues before being hospitalized in March. Byrnihat is ranked the world’s most polluted metropolitan area. According to doctors, the town’s high pollution levels are linked to various health problems.

Byrnihat’s PM2.5 concentration exceeds the WHO’s recommended limit by over 25 times. These tiny pollutants can enter the lungs and cause serious health issues. Sumaiya’s father, Abdul Halim, described her hospitalization, saying she struggled to breathe.

Local health data shows a rise in respiratory infections, with cases increasing from 2,082 in 2022 to 3,681 in 2024. Dr. J Marak notes that most patients he sees have coughs or other breathing problems.

Residents claim the toxic air also causes skin rashes and eye irritation, damages crops, and restricts routine tasks like drying laundry outdoors. Farmer Dildar Hussain describes Byrnihat as being covered in dust and soot.

Critics argue that the town’s pollution issues reflect a larger problem in India, where rapid industrialization is harming the environment. Unlike other areas where pollution worsens in winter, Byrnihat’s air quality remains poor year-round due to its geography and high industrial activity.

The town is home to around 80 industries, many of which are highly polluting. Experts say the problem is worsened by vehicle emissions and the town’s geography, which traps pollutants. Arup Kumar Misra, chairman of Assam’s pollution control board, notes that the surrounding hills and plains prevent pollutants from dispersing.

A Meghalaya government official acknowledged that the town’s location has complicated finding a solution, with both states previously pointing fingers at each other. However, following the IQAir report, Assam and Meghalaya have agreed to form a joint committee to tackle Byrnihat’s pollution together.

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Natalie Semono

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I am Natalie Semono and I am an environmental reporter with a Journalism Studies qualification from Rosebank College. I am passionate about telling impactful stories on climate change, conservation, and environmental justice. With a clear, engaging style, I translate complex issues into narratives that inform and inspire. My reporting aims to amplify underrepresented voices and connect communities with the urgent environmental challenges shaping our world.

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