This project examines air pollution levels across various regions and their impact on life expectancy. The Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) provides a framework for quantifying the potential years of life lost due to exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution.
This study focuses on processing, analyzing, and visualizing air pollution data spanning 1998 to 2021 using statistical and geospatial methodologies. The primary objectives include:
- Identifying pollution trends and variations.
- Determining the most polluted regions globally.
- Estimating the impact of PM2.5 exposure on life expectancy.
- Benchmarking pollution levels against World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.
This project integrates quantitative analysis, geospatial assessments, and policy evaluation to provide actionable insights into pollution control measures.
The analysis utilizes datasets provided by AQLI, including:
- AQLI 1998-2021 GADM2 Dataset (CSV) – Contains pollution levels at the GADM2 regional level.
- AQLI 1998-2021 GADM2 Shapefile – Used for geospatial visualization and mapping.
- AQLI Data Dictionary – Provides variable definitions and dataset explanations.
The analytical workflow consists of the following phases:
- Data Acquisition – The AQLI 1998-2021 GADM2 dataset is downloaded.
- Data Cleaning – The dataset is preprocessed to handle missing values and inconsistencies.
- Exploratory Data Analysis – Statistical methods and visualizations are used to identify highly polluted regions and analyze trends.
- Visualizations: The findings from the data analysis are presented using various visualizations and maps.
| Category | Tools & Frameworks |
|---|---|
| Programming | Python |
| Data Processing | Pandas, NumPy |
| Visualization | Matplotlib, Geopandas |
| Version Control | Git, GitHub |
| GIS & Geospatial Analysis(for future work) | QGIS, Geopandas, Folium |
- Most Polluted Countries (2021): Bangladesh, India, and Nepal recorded the highest annual average PM2.5 levels.
- Consistently Affected Regions (1998-2021): Delhi, India, remained among the most polluted urban areas.
- Life Expectancy Impact: Exposure reduction to WHO-recommended levels could lead to significant gains in life expectancy.
- Policy and Regulatory Challenges: Enforcing air quality standards remains a significant challenge, particularly in South Asia.
Processed datasets, analytical results, and visualizations are stored in the Output directory.
This project is based on publicly available data from:
- Air Quality Life Index (AQLI)
- Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC)
If you would like more information, please visit the AQLI official website.