IQAir's latest global ranking places Kraków, Poland fifth for poor air quality, with an AQI of 234. The city trails only Lahore, Delhi, Kolkata, and Dhaka, highlighting a severe pollution problem in a European capital. This data comes from live tracking of 126 major cities using PM2.5 measurements.

Poor air quality in Kraków isn't isolated. Warsaw also appears on the list, suggesting regional issues. The ranking uses the AQI+ US scale, where anything above 150 is considered unhealthy. Such sustained high levels pose health risks and challenge urban planning in a country heavily reliant on coal for heating and power.

The report underscores a global divide, with many top-ranked cities in South Asia. For Kraków, the data adds pressure on authorities to accelerate clean energy transitions and improve public transit. Residents and tech platforms monitoring air quality will be watching for policy shifts or seasonal improvements in the coming months.