Air Pollution's Deadly Toll In Asia

Air pollution is a pressing issue in Asia, causing millions of premature deaths annually. In 2016, around one-third of the world's 7 million premature deaths from indoor and outdoor air pollution occurred in the WHO Western Pacific Region, amounting to 2.2 million deaths. Among regions, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania had the second-highest rate of premature deaths from PM2.5 in 2021, with China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and the Philippines being severely affected. Fine particulate matter, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels and biomass, poses significant health risks, triggering heart disease, lung cancer, and other fatal diseases. The impact of air pollution extends beyond health, affecting economies, food and water security, and climate systems. Addressing air pollution in Asia requires coordinated efforts and policy implementations by governments and stakeholders to improve air quality and protect the health and well-being of their citizens, especially vulnerable children.

Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania had the second-highest premature death rate from PM2.5 in 2021

Air pollution is a significant concern in Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania, which had the second-highest premature death rate from PM2.5 in 2021, after the Middle East and North Africa. The region faces substantial challenges due to the high levels of air pollution, which pose a severe threat to public health and the environment.

The two most damaging types of air pollution in Asia and the Pacific are fine particulate matter and ground-level ozone. Fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, refers to microscopic particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 microns, which is a tiny fraction of the width of a human hair. These particles are dangerous because they can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, leading to serious health issues, including heart disease and lung cancer.

In 2021, China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and the Philippines experienced exceptionally high numbers of premature deaths due to PM2.5, with China recording 2.3 million deaths, Indonesia 221,600, Myanmar 101,600, Vietnam 99,700, and the Philippines 98,200. Recent reports supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) examined air pollution trends in Cambodia, Indonesia, and Thailand, finding that common pollutants such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, PM2.5, sulfur dioxide, and ammonia are on the rise in these countries.

The effects of air pollution extend beyond health hazards. It poses a threat to the region's economy, food and water security, and climate systems, hindering sustainable growth and poverty alleviation efforts. Additionally, air pollution contributes to climate change, as many pollutants, like methane and black carbon (a form of PM2.5), trap heat from the sun, accelerating global warming.

However, there is room for optimism. Dechen Tsering, the regional director and representative of the UNEP for Asia and the Pacific, emphasizes that "air pollution is not an impossible problem to solve." By taking meaningful action, such as investing in renewable energy, implementing stricter emission standards, and transitioning to electric vehicles, countries in Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania can significantly improve air quality and reduce the premature death rate attributed to PM2.5.

China, Japan, Laos, South Korea, and Vietnam exceeded WHO guidelines for PM2.5 levels in 2023

Air pollution is a pressing issue in Asia, causing millions of premature deaths annually and posing a significant threat to human and environmental health. In 2023, China, Japan, Laos, South Korea, and Vietnam were among the nine countries in East and Southeast Asia that were ranked among the world's 40 most polluted nations.

On a typical mid-August day in 2023, more than 98% of people in these five countries breathed in air with PM2.5 levels that exceeded World Health Organization guidelines. PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter, a group of microscopic pollutants that measure less than 2.5 microns in width, which is just a fraction of the width of a human hair. These particles, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels and biomass, can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, triggering heart disease, lung cancer, and other potentially fatal diseases.

China, in particular, has been heavily impacted by air pollution. In 2021, the country recorded 2.3 million premature deaths due to PM2.5, the highest number in Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania. Beijing, China's capital city, has faced significant air quality issues due to the growth in vehicle numbers, energy consumption, and coal consumption for heating during winters.

Japan, Laos, South Korea, and Vietnam have also faced challenges due to air pollution. Northern Japan was one of the few areas in East and Southeast Asia with air considered clean by the WHO in 2023. Laos, South Korea, and Vietnam joined China in having PM2.5 levels exceeding WHO guidelines in mid-August 2023, impacting nearly their entire populations.

The burning of fossil fuels for power generation, industry, and transport, as well as the burning of biomass for cooking, heating, and lighting, are major contributors to the poor air quality in these countries. Reducing air pollution in these nations could save lives, boost economic growth, and help combat climate change.

Air pollution is responsible for 2 million premature deaths in the WHO Western Pacific Region

Air pollution is a pressing global issue, with 99% of the world's population breathing air that exceeds the World Health Organization's (WHO) guideline limits. It is responsible for millions of premature deaths each year, with the bulk of these occurring in the Asia-Pacific region.

In the WHO Western Pacific Region alone, around 2 million people die prematurely each year due to air pollution. This region bears the greatest share of deaths due to air pollution globally, with a person dying from air pollution-related causes every 14 seconds. The main sources of outdoor air pollution include residential energy for cooking and heating, vehicles, power generation, agriculture/waste incineration, and industry.

The two most damaging types of air pollution in Asia and the Pacific are fine particulate matter and ground-level ozone. Fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, refers to microscopic substances that measure less than 2.5 microns, a fraction of the width of a human hair. These particles, which come primarily from the burning of fossil fuels and biomass, can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, triggering heart disease and lung cancer, among other potentially fatal diseases.

The countries in Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania had the second-highest rate of premature death from PM2.5 in 2021, with China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and the Philippines being the most affected. Taking meaningful steps to reduce air pollution could save hundreds of thousands of lives in these countries.

Addressing air pollution is crucial for protecting public health and supporting sustainable development in the region. Implementing policies and investments that promote cleaner transport, energy-efficient homes, improved waste management, and sustainable land use can effectively reduce ambient air pollution and mitigate its health and environmental impacts.

South Asia is home to 9 of the 10 cities with the worst air pollution in the world

South Asian countries have been facing extreme air pollution, which has led to severe health impacts and economic costs. According to the World Bank, South Asia is home to 9 of the 10 cities with the worst air pollution in the world. This air pollution is caused by concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) in some of the region's most densely populated and poor areas, which are up to 20 times higher than the amount considered healthy by the World Health Organization (WHO) (5 µg/m³).

The sources of emissions in South Asia are diverse. In addition to emission sources common throughout the world, there are activities specific to South Asia that contribute large amounts of PM 2.5 in ambient air. For instance, in 2023, Begusarai, the industrial and financial capital of India's Bihar, had a whopping 118.9 micrograms of PM 2.5 particles per cubic metre on average. New Delhi had 92.7, while Dhaka in Bangladesh had 80.2 and Lahore in Pakistan recorded an average of 99.5. Eighty-three cities in India have air with more than 10 times the recommended limit of 5 micrograms per cubic metre. According to an IQAir report, the poor air quality in South Asia is often down to "brick kiln and other industrial emissions, agricultural waste burning, and cremation practices". The burning of solid fuel for cooking and heating, especially during the colder months, also adds to the poor air quality.

Air pollution in South Asia causes an estimated 2 million premature deaths each year and reduces life expectancy by an average of 5 years. It incurs significant economic costs and places a heavy burden on the healthcare system. In Bangladesh, air pollution is responsible for about 20% of total premature deaths. In Pakistan, the Punjab province was engulfed in a blanket of smog in November 2023, leading to an emergency being declared in Lahore, Gujranwala, and Hafizabad, with all public places closed. In India's capital territory, schools were shuttered, and construction was halted due to dangerous levels of air pollution at the same time.

Some attempts have been made by South Asian governments to curb air pollution. For example, coal burning was banned in Delhi's National Capital Region (NCR) in January 2023, and older vehicles were banned in Delhi in 2018, resulting in a 35% decrease in the number of cars on the road. However, in November 2023, a collaborative project between the Delhi government and the Indian Institute Of Technology Kanpur showed that vehicle emissions remained the largest contributor to air pollution in the city. Pakistan's Punjab province has also banned crop burning and launched public transport projects to get private vehicles off the road.

Air pollution impacts children's health and development, causing irreversible and deadly health effects

Air pollution is a significant concern in Asia, with Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania having the second-highest rate of premature deaths from PM2.5 in 2021. Countries like China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and the Philippines have been severely affected, with a combined death toll of over 3.4 million. The primary sources of air pollution in these regions are the burning of fossil fuels and biomass for energy, industry, transport, and cooking.

The impact of air pollution on children's health and development is particularly concerning. Children and adolescents are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution because their bodies, organs, and immune systems are still developing. Exposure to air pollutants can cause irreversible and deadly health effects, including respiratory problems such as asthma, deficits in lung function and growth, and alterations to their immune system. According to the 2024 State of Global Air report, air pollution was linked to approximately 709,000 deaths in children under five years old, accounting for 15% of global deaths in this age group. This equates to nearly 2,000 children under five dying daily due to air pollution-related health issues.

Research has shown that exposure to ambient levels of criteria air pollutants can alter both the immune system and respiratory health of children. Studies have reported substantial health and economic benefits associated with reducing air pollutant levels. For instance, during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, a decrease in local motor vehicle traffic resulted in reduced rates of childhood asthma events.

The burning of fossil fuels and biomass releases fine particulate matter, which is extremely harmful due to its microscopic size. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, triggering heart disease, lung cancer, and other fatal diseases. As children's bodies are still developing, exposure to these pollutants can have irreversible and deadly consequences, impacting their health and development and jeopardizing their future.

To protect children's health and ensure a sustainable future, it is imperative to address air pollution. This involves implementing measures to reduce the burning of fossil fuels and biomass, regulating emissions, and improving air quality standards. By taking action, countries can save lives, boost economic growth, and provide children with the clean, safe air they need to grow up healthy.

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