Kiera Jefferson
Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, is one of the most polluted cities in the world. The city's air quality is so poor that it has been described as Earth's dirtiest air by National Geographic. The pollution is particularly harmful to children, who are more vulnerable to its effects due to their smaller lungs and less developed immune systems. UNICEF has warned of a child health crisis in the city, with respiratory infections increasing at an alarming rate and children's lung function being significantly impacted. The main source of pollution is the burning of coal for cooking and heating, especially in the 'ger' districts, which are informal settlements that house almost half of the city's residents. Other factors contributing to the city's poor air quality include industrial emissions, automotive exhaust, and power plants. While efforts have been made to improve the air quality in Ulaanbaatar, such as the implementation of the National Program for Reducing Air and Environmental Pollution, the city still has a long way to go in addressing this pressing issue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air pollution levels | Highest in the world in 2016 |
| Air pollution sources | Coal-burning stoves, power plants, apartment buildings, schools, vehicle emissions |
| PM2.5 pollution levels | 687 micrograms per cubic meter (27 times the WHO recommendation) |
| PM10 pollution levels | 75 AQI |
| NO2 pollution levels | 6 AQI |
| SO2 pollution levels | 1 AQI |
| O3 pollution levels | 174 AQI |
| CO pollution levels | 1 AQI |
| Average concentration levels of particulate matter and sulfur dioxide | Up to 10 times higher than WHO recommendations |
| Welfare costs of air pollution | $486 million annually |
| Lost productivity costs | $58 million annually |
| Population living in informal ger areas | 46% |
| Children's lung function in polluted vs rural areas | 40% lower |
| Increase in respiratory infections over 10 years | 270% |
| Increase in fetal deaths between winter and summer | 3.5-fold |
| UNICEF warning | "Looming child health crisis" |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Ulaanbaatar has some of the world's dirtiest air, with PM2.5 levels reaching 133 times the World Health Organization's maximum
- The pollution is caused by coal-burning stoves in the ger districts, power plants, and vehicle emissions
- Children are especially vulnerable to the health effects of pollution, with respiratory infections increasing by 270% in the last decade
- Pneumonia is the second-leading cause of death for children under five, and fetal mortality rates increase during winter
- Efforts to reduce air pollution include banning raw coal burning, implementing coal briquettes, and establishing vehicle pollution standards
Ulaanbaatar has some of the world's dirtiest air, with PM2.5 levels reaching 133 times the World Health Organization's maximum
Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, has some of the world's dirtiest air. The city's air quality is so poor that, at times, people and buildings are visible only as outlines. The acrid, sooty air stings throats and penetrates modern office buildings in the centre of the city as well as the Soviet-style apartment towers on its outskirts.
The city's air pollution is caused by a combination of geographical factors and extreme climate conditions. Ulaanbaatar, like Beijing, is built in a river valley, and the surrounding mountains trap smog. As the world's coldest capital, with temperatures as low as −40°C, coal is essential for survival during the brutal winters. However, the burning of coal for heating and cooking contributes significantly to the city's air pollution. The smoke from individual homes, power plants, apartment buildings, supermarkets, and schools all release huge plumes of smoke, darkening the city's air.
The ger districts, or informal settlements, are among the most polluted areas of Ulaanbaatar. In these areas, residents rely on coal-burning stoves for heating and cooking, leading to extremely high levels of air pollution. On the coldest days, the daily average of PM2.5 pollution levels reaches 687 micrograms per cubic meter, which is 27 times the level recommended as safe by the World Health Organization (WHO). In some instances, PM2.5 levels have reached 133 times the WHO's suggested maximum.
The impact of air pollution on the health of Ulaanbaatar's residents, especially children, is significant. Pneumonia is now the second-leading cause of death for children under five in Mongolia, and respiratory infections have increased by 270% over the last decade. Children living in the city have a 40% lower lung function than those in rural areas. UNICEF has warned of a "child health crisis", as the toxic air affects children's lungs and respiratory systems, leading to pre-term births, spontaneous abortions, and an increased risk of diseases such as bronchitis and asthma.
Recognising the severity of the problem, the Mongolian government has implemented measures to address air pollution. With support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Ulaanbaatar adopted the National Program for Reducing Air and Environmental Pollution in 2017, aiming for an 80% reduction in air pollution by 2025. The program included a ban on raw coal burning, the introduction of coal briquettes, and the establishment of technical standards for vehicle pollution. These efforts have led to notable reductions in average levels of particulate matter, including PM2.5, during the winter months.
The Pollution of Rivers: A Troubling Trend
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The pollution is caused by coal-burning stoves in the ger districts, power plants, and vehicle emissions
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's capital city, is facing a public health crisis due to severe air pollution. The city's air pollution is caused by a combination of coal-burning stoves in the ger districts, power plants, and vehicle emissions.
Coal-burning stoves in the ger districts are a significant contributor to Ulaanbaatar's air pollution. Gers are traditional huts or yurts burned in individual coal stoves to keep warm during the harsh winters. The ger districts, home to many nomadic herders who have settled on the city's outskirts, have grown rapidly in recent years, and their residents are both major polluters and victims of pollution. On average, the temperature in Ulaanbaatar does not rise above freezing, and in the winter, it can dip to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, ger families burn tons of coal every winter, creating about 60% of the city's air pollution.
Power plants also play a role in polluting Ulaanbaatar's air. Huge black plumes of smoke waft from the towering smokestacks of these plants, which are located on the outskirts of the city. While most of Mongolia's electricity comes from coal, the smoke from these plants is treated, and they are regulated to some extent.
Vehicle emissions contribute to the city's air pollution as well. Drivers haul coal through town in pickup trucks, and the streets are lined with bags of coal for sale. The burning of fossil fuels in vehicles releases harmful pollutants into the air, adding to the problem.
The pollution in Ulaanbaatar has severe health implications, especially for children. Young children are particularly vulnerable to air pollution, and the incidence of pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses has spiked in the city, with children suffering from weakened immune systems and reduced lung capacity. To protect their children from the toxic air, parents do what they can, such as adjusting masks before they leave the house. However, the city's authorities have struggled to address the pollution effectively, and schools were closed for two months during one particularly harsh winter.
The Earth's Pollution Crisis: How Bad Is It?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Children are especially vulnerable to the health effects of pollution, with respiratory infections increasing by 270% in the last decade
Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, is known for having some of the dirtiest air in the world. The air pollution in the city has severe health implications, especially for children. UNICEF has warned of a "child health crisis", with respiratory infections increasing by 270% in the last decade.
Children are especially vulnerable to the health effects of pollution. They have smaller lungs, breathe more rapidly than adults, and their immune systems are not fully developed. UNICEF found that children living in highly polluted districts of central Ulaanbaatar had 40% lower lung function than those in rural areas. Air pollution is linked to respiratory infections, bronchitis, and asthma, causing children to miss school and impacting their overall development.
The primary source of air pollution in Ulaanbaatar is coal-burning stoves, especially in the "'ger' districts", where residents use coal for heating and cooking. The city's topography, being located in a river valley surrounded by mountains, traps smog. The extreme climate also contributes to the pollution problem, with the coldest days of the year seeing PM2.5 pollution levels reach 27 times the level recommended by the WHO.
The impact of air pollution on children's health is not limited to respiratory issues. Prenatal exposure to air pollution can affect the structural and functional growth of the lungs, leading to impaired lung function and an increased risk of respiratory infections and asthma during childhood. UNICEF's data also suggests a potential link between air toxicity and fetal mortality, with a 3.5-fold increase in fetal deaths between winter and summer.
Addressing air pollution is crucial for protecting children's health. UNICEF is supporting authorities in Mongolia to address air pollution and climate change, and there is a focus on increasing awareness among the public regarding these issues. Additionally, initiatives such as the Children's Health Study and the use of air purifiers in schools aim to mitigate the impact of pollution on children's health.
Florida's Estuaries: Polluted Paradise?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pneumonia is the second-leading cause of death for children under five, and fetal mortality rates increase during winter
Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, is known for having some of the world's dirtiest air. The city's rapid and unplanned growth in recent years, coupled with the burning of coal for heating and cooking, has led to extremely high levels of air pollution. The smoke from metal chimneys, power plants, apartment buildings, and schools blankets the city, with pollution levels soaring far beyond recommended limits.
The toxic air has severe health implications, particularly for children. Young children are especially vulnerable to air pollution due to their smaller lungs, faster breathing rate, and underdeveloped immune systems. Pneumonia is now the second-leading cause of death for children under five in Mongolia. UNICEF reported a 2.7-fold increase in respiratory infections per 10,000 population in Ulaanbaatar over the last decade, and children living in polluted districts of the city were found to have 40% lower lung function than their rural counterparts. The incidence of hospitalized pneumonia in adults has also increased in recent years, with the highest proportion of severe cases occurring in adults over 65.
The extreme winter pollution peaks in Ulaanbaatar are of particular concern. During winter, people heat their homes and stoves with coal, leading to a dense smog that gets trapped in the city due to its topography. UNICEF warned of a "child health crisis," with preliminary data suggesting a 3.5-fold increase in fetal mortality rates between summer and winter. The strong correlation between air toxicity and fetal deaths is alarming, with studies showing a significant association between seasonal ambient air pollutants and pregnancy loss.
The financial cost of treating pollution-related diseases in children is expected to rise significantly if pollution levels do not decrease. UNICEF has recommended several strategies to address the issue, including the rollout of the Pneumococcal Vaccine, improving indoor air quality in public spaces, and providing guidance on the use of face masks.
Greenville's Pollution: A Harmful Reality
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Efforts to reduce air pollution include banning raw coal burning, implementing coal briquettes, and establishing vehicle pollution standards
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, has some of the world's dirtiest air. The air pollution is especially harmful to children's health and is associated with acute respiratory disease. In 2012, one out of nine deaths in Mongolia was the result of air pollution-related diseases, with more than half of child deaths from pneumonia attributable to indoor air pollution.
To address this issue, the Mongolian government has implemented several measures, including banning raw coal burning and establishing vehicle pollution standards. On May 15, 2019, the government introduced a ban on the distribution and consumption of raw coal in households and small businesses as a short- to medium-term solution. This ban aimed to decrease Ulaanbaatar's air pollution by 50%. To provide an alternative, the government subsidised refined coal briquette production and distribution. Modun Resources signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Mongolian mining ministry and the Ulaanbaatar City Air Quality Agency to support the supply of coal briquettes.
In addition to the raw coal ban, the Mongolian government has also been working to establish vehicle pollution standards. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued recommendations, urging the government to keep air pollution as a top priority. WHO advised implementing measures to prevent traffic congestion and reduce the need for motorized transport, such as creating green areas and relocating offices and commercial spaces to be more convenient for pedestrians and cyclists.
These efforts to reduce air pollution in Ulaanbaatar, including banning raw coal burning, implementing coal briquettes, and establishing vehicle pollution standards, are crucial steps towards improving the city's air quality and protecting the health of its residents, especially children.
Pollution's Impact: Human Health in Watersheds
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Ulaanbaatar is one of the most polluted cities in the world. UNICEF has warned of a "child health crisis" in the city, with children suffering the most from the toxic air.
The primary source of air pollution in Ulaanbaatar is coal-burning stoves, used for cooking and heating during the cold winter months. The city's topography, built in a river valley surrounded by mountains, also traps smog.
The government of Mongolia has implemented the National Program for Reducing Air and Environmental Pollution, with the target of an 80% reduction in air pollution by 2025. This has included a ban on raw coal burning and the distribution of coal briquettes, which emit less smoke and ash.
