Air Pollution In East Asia: A Critical Analysis

Air pollution is a pressing issue in East Asia, with over 90% of the region's 2.5 billion people breathing unsafe air. This air pollution is driven by the burning of fossil fuels for power, industry, and transport, as well as the burning of biomass for cooking, heating, and lighting. The two most damaging types of air pollution in the region are fine particulate matter and ground-level ozone, which are responsible for millions of premature deaths and illnesses each year. While governments and authorities are taking action, with new laws and stronger enforcement, the problem persists, and Asia is set to continue struggling with poor air quality in the coming years.

Burning fossil fuels for power generation

In East Asia, the burning of fossil fuels for power generation has severe consequences for air quality. The region has experienced a significant increase in energy demand, particularly in countries like China, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam. To meet this demand, fossil fuel power plants have been heavily relied upon, leading to a rise in air pollutant emissions. These emissions contain fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which includes microscopic substances measuring less than 2.5 microns. These particles, when inhaled, can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, posing serious health risks.

The health impacts of burning fossil fuels for power generation in East Asia are significant. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 90% of East Asia's 2.5 billion people breathe air that is considered unsafe. This air pollution contributes to millions of premature deaths annually in the region, with China and India having the highest numbers. The leading causes of these deaths include ischaemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive lung disease, and diabetes, which are linked to the toxic air pollutants emitted by fossil fuel combustion.

To address this issue, East Asian countries are exploring various strategies to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels for power generation. For example, Thailand has committed to implementing clean air strategies with an annual cost of US$4 billion by 2030, recognizing the long-term economic and health benefits. Additionally, countries like China and developed nations are transitioning away from coal as an energy source, opting for alternatives such as natural gas or renewable energy sources.

The transition to cleaner energy sources is crucial to mitigating the air pollution caused by burning fossil fuels for power generation in East Asia. By adopting renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, or hydropower, East Asian countries can significantly reduce their emissions and improve air quality. This shift aligns with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, which aims for climate neutrality by 2050, highlighting the urgency to reduce the harmful impacts of fossil fuel combustion on human health and the environment.

Burning biomass for cooking, heating, and lighting

Burning biomass, such as firewood, for cooking, heating, and lighting is a significant source of air pollution in East Asia. This is especially true in China, where a lot of research has been devoted to investigating the impact of biomass burning on air quality and public health. The open-field burning of agricultural crop residue, for example, leads to visibility impairment, air quality degradation, and adverse health effects.

In Southeast Asia, biomass burning contributes to unhealthy living conditions for the more than 655 million people who call the region home. The region experiences two burning seasons every year, coinciding with dry conditions on the mainland (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Peninsular Malaysia) from November to May and in the more equatorial maritime nations (Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, Timor-Leste, Eastern Malaysia, and the Philippines) from June to October. The magnitude of biomass burning emissions is highly uncertain and difficult to model due to the variability of seasonal burning patterns and the influence of large-scale climate variations.

In East and Southeast Asia, more than 90% of the region's 2.5 billion people breathe air that is considered unsafe by the World Health Organization. This includes people in China, Japan, Laos, the Republic of Korea, and Vietnam, who, on a typical mid-August day in 2023, breathed in air with PM2.5 levels exceeding World Health Organization guidelines. The poor air quality in the region is driven in part by the burning of biomass for home cooking, heating, and lighting, as well as the burning of fossil fuels for power generation, industry, and transport.

To tackle air pollution and improve public health, countries in East and Southeast Asia can implement measures such as renewable energy adoption, the promotion of electric vehicles, improved waste management, and the use of cleaner cooking fuels. These actions can help reduce the number of premature deaths attributed to air pollution, estimated to be in the millions each year.

Transport emissions

In East Asia, more than 90% of the region's 2.5 billion people breathe air that is considered unsafe by the World Health Organization (WHO), and transport emissions are a significant contributor to this. The high population densities in urban and heavily industrialised areas further exacerbate the problem.

To address transport emissions, several measures have been proposed and implemented. These include strengthening emission standards for road vehicles, with a particular focus on regulating diesel vehicles. Mandatory vehicle inspections and repairs, as well as the introduction of state-of-the-art end-of-pipe measures, are also part of the solution.

Additionally, the transition to electric vehicles and improved public transport are promoted as ways to reduce transport emissions. The Climate and Clean Air Coalition, a global effort uniting governments, people, and the private sector, supports the development of National Action Plans in nearly 20 countries in the region. This includes initiatives such as the Asia-Pacific Clean Air Partnership, which facilitates knowledge-sharing and collaboration among policy-makers and stakeholders to tackle air pollution.

By implementing these measures, significant improvements in air quality can be achieved, reducing the health, economic, and environmental impacts of transport emissions in East Asia.

Forest fire smoke

Forest fires are a major source of air pollution in East Asia, contributing to the emission of particulate matter, ozone, and other air pollutants. These fires are often started to clear land for agriculture, induce grass growth for grazing, or collect forest products. The smoke from these fires can cause serious air quality issues and has been observed to spread across Southeast Asia, reaching Southwest China, the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, Southern China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

The smoke released from forest fires contains fine particulate matter, which refers to microscopic substances that measure less than 2.5 microns in size, a fraction of the width of a human hair. These particles, when inhaled, can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, leading to adverse health effects. The health impacts of exposure to forest fire smoke are significant, with studies showing increased morbidity and mortality rates in affected areas.

In Southeast Asia, the pre-monsoon season, from February to April, experiences increased fire activity due to widespread forest fires and crop residue burning before the onset of the Asian summer monsoon. During this period, a stable temperature inversion layer, coupled with hot, dry, and stagnant air, promotes haze conditions. The smoke from these fires can affect both rural and urban areas, with long-range transport observed across the region.

The impact of forest fire smoke is not limited to immediate exposure. Studies have shown that eliminating fire emissions in Southeast Asia can reduce the annual disease burden attributed to long-term ambient O3 exposure. In Mainland Southeast Asia, reducing fire emissions lowered the disease burden by 10%, averting approximately 2,250 premature deaths. Similarly, in southeastern China, a 1% reduction in the annual disease burden resulted in 1,530 fewer premature deaths.

To address the issue of forest fire smoke and its impact on air quality and public health, the Upper ASEAN Wildland Fire Special Research Unit (WFSRU) was established in October 2017. The WFSRU, in collaboration with the Regional Fire Management Resource Center – South East Asia (RFMRC-SEA) and under the UNISDR's Global Wildland Fire Network, aims to provide scientific and management knowledge to mitigate the fire, smoke, and haze situation in the region. By utilizing fire emission data and advanced monitoring systems, the WFSRU strives to reduce the excessive use of fire in land use and land-use change, thereby minimizing environmental damage and protecting human lives.

Industrial emissions

One of the most significant issues is the burning of fossil fuels, particularly coal, for power generation and industrial processes. This releases a host of harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon dioxide (CO2). These pollutants have severe impacts on both human health and the environment. Particulate matter, for instance, can penetrate deep into the lungs, triggering heart disease, lung cancer, and other respiratory issues. Nitrogen oxides contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, which is the main component of smog and can exacerbate asthma symptoms.

To combat these issues, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and partner organizations have proposed a range of solutions. These include implementing stricter controls on power stations and large-scale industrial plants, improving emission standards for industrial processes, and fostering the transition to renewable energy sources. For example, by investing in renewable energy sources and imposing stricter vehicle emission standards, Indonesia could reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 650 megatonnes, according to UNEP.

The Asia-Pacific Clean Air Partnership, established in 2015, provides a platform for policymakers and stakeholders to collaborate and share knowledge, tools, and innovative solutions to tackle air pollution in the region. Additionally, the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia, established in 1998, aims to foster cooperation and generate a shared understanding of acid deposition problems by providing data and information to policymakers.

While challenges remain, there is a growing recognition among governments and authorities in East Asia that addressing industrial emissions and air pollution is a critical priority. The region has seen the emergence of various initiatives and policies aimed at improving air quality and mitigating the health and environmental impacts of industrial emissions.

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