Air Pollution In Malaysia: A Growing Concern?

Malaysia, a country in Southeast Asia, has been facing severe air pollution, which has serious impacts on its people's health and economy. The country has experienced multiple haze episodes, such as the 2005 Malaysian haze, caused by mass illegal burning in Indonesia, and the 2015 Southeast Asian haze, which resulted from irresponsible forestry practices. These events have led to hazardous air quality, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) posing significant health risks. In 2019, Malaysia ranked 50th among 98 countries in terms of air pollution, with periods of extremely poor air quality, especially in cities like Kuala Lumpur. The main sources of pollution include vehicle emissions, such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and a lack of strict regulations on fuel types. The fight for improved air quality in Malaysia continues, with advocates pushing for legislation like the Transboundary Haze Pollution or Clean Air Act.

Seasonal haze

Malaysia has been affected by seasonal haze for many years, with the situation becoming particularly severe in 2005, 2015, and 2019. The haze is caused by forest fires, predominantly in Indonesia, which clear land for palm oil plantations. These fires result in a transboundary haze that affects Malaysia, Singapore, and parts of Thailand. In 2019, there were thousands of fires in Indonesia, with many spreading to the Malaysian state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo, affecting the city of Miri. The fires also impacted other major cities and towns in Sarawak, such as Kuching, as well as other Malaysian states and federal territories, including Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan, and Penang.

The haze caused by these fires has severe consequences for the region, leading to school closures, disruptions in air travel, and significant health issues for the population. In 2019, there were 885,026 cases of severe respiratory infections due to the haze in several Indonesian provinces, with Malaysia sending half a million face masks to affected areas. The fires and resulting haze have sparked diplomatic tensions, with Malaysia urging Indonesia to take action and calling for a regional response to address the issue.

The issue of transboundary haze has led to the establishment of initiatives and agreements aimed at mitigating and preventing its occurrence. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) launched the Coordinating Centre for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control (CCTHPC) to help members manage and reduce haze. Additionally, ASEAN agriculture and forestry ministers agreed to take collective action to eliminate crop burning, demonstrating a commitment to achieving a haze-free region by 2030.

The seasonal haze is typically at its worst during the dry season, when conditions are ideal for fires to spread and persist. NASA has been actively involved in studying and addressing the issue, with projects such as the Airborne and Satellite Investigation of Asian Air Quality (ASIA-AQ) and the USAID-NASA SERVIR program. These initiatives aim to collect air quality data, develop tools to inform the public about haze and smoke, and assist in fire detection and management.

Poor air quality in cities

Malaysia, a country in Southeast Asia, is divided into two regions: Peninsular Malaysia, which includes the capital city of Kuala Lumpur, and the eastern portion located in Borneo. The air quality in Malaysia is a significant concern, with the country ranking 50th out of 98 countries in terms of poor air quality.

The problem of air pollution in Malaysia is particularly acute in its cities. Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Shah Alam, and Petaling Jaya are among the top polluted cities in the country, experiencing moderate air pollution throughout the year, with dangerous spikes in pollution during certain months. For instance, in 2005, a week-long choking smog-like haze blanketed Malaysia, nearly bringing the central part of Peninsular Malaysia to a standstill. This haze was caused by mass illegal burning in Indonesia, affecting not just Malaysia but also Singapore and parts of Thailand.

The primary sources of air pollution in Malaysian cities are vehicle emissions and irresponsible forestry practices. The burning of fossil fuels for transportation and energy contributes significantly to the problem. Vehicles, including cars, trucks, and buses, emit nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which is a major pollutant. High traffic areas often have high levels of NO2 in the atmosphere. In addition, the country's over-reliance on vehicles and lack of highly efficient public transport systems exacerbate the issue. Lax rules regarding fuel types and heavy fuel subsidies further contribute to the poor air quality, leading to increased levels of pollutants such as NO2 and sulfur dioxide (SO2).

The health risks associated with poor air quality in Malaysian cities are significant. Particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5), referred to as "fine" particulates, pose the greatest danger to health. These tiny particles can enter the lungs and even the bloodstream, causing various long-term health issues. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a formula to convert PM2.5 readings into an Air Quality Index (AQI) value, which helps inform health-related decisions. An AQI value over 300 represents hazardous air quality that can have severe impacts on public health.

Health risks

Malaysia has been facing severe air pollution, which has been causing serious health issues for its population. The air pollution in Malaysia is mainly caused by land transportation, industrial emissions, and open burning sources. The predominant pollutants are Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2). Other pollutants such as Carbon Monoxide (CO), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Ozone (O3), and lead (Pb) are also observed in several big cities in Malaysia.

The health risks associated with air pollution in Malaysia are profound and far-reaching. Short-term exposure to polluted air can lead to various adverse health effects, including headaches, coughing, breathing difficulties, and irritation of the eyes and nose. These symptoms indicate the immediate impact of air pollution on an individual's health and well-being.

However, the more severe health risks arise from long-term exposure to polluted air. Chronic exposure to air pollutants can lead to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. The microscopic particles in the air, particularly PM2.5, are of significant concern as they are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. This infiltration can cause systemic inflammation and contribute to cardiovascular conditions, affecting lung function, and exacerbating respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic bronchitis.

The impact of air pollution on public health in Malaysia is evident from the World Air Quality Report 2021, which showed that several Malaysian cities recorded PM2.5 concentrations above the World Health Organization's recommended levels. This finding indicates a clear and present danger to the health of the population. Furthermore, a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) revealed that air pollution in Malaysia contributed to thousands of premature deaths annually, underscoring the urgency of addressing this issue.

The health risks of air pollution in Malaysia are not limited to physical ailments but also extend to the population's mental health and well-being. The chronic and persistent haze pollution, resulting from open burning and agricultural practices, can cause psychological distress and negatively impact the quality of life for Malaysians.

Inadequate legislation

Malaysia has been suffering from severe air pollution, which has serious health and economic repercussions. The country has experienced notable improvements in air quality in recent years, but the legislation governing air quality is still inadequate.

The Malaysian Ministry of Environment and Water has been urged to strengthen public health and ecosystem health as the primary objectives of its air quality governance framework. The current air quality standards are not legally binding, time-bound, or enforceable, and they lack a regular review process to ensure alignment with global guidance and scientific advancements.

The absence of legally binding ambient air quality standards in Malaysia's primary air quality legislation undermines the importance of these standards in balancing socio-economic priorities. The governance of ambient air quality standards needs to be strengthened through increased transparency, access to information, public participation, and accountability.

Additionally, the root causes of seasonal transboundary haze incidents, such as biomass burning and forest fires, have not been adequately addressed. While Malaysia has made progress, more ambitious targets and policies are necessary to achieve cleaner air. The World Health Organization (WHO) updated its recommended ambient air quality guidelines in 2021, and it is crucial for Malaysia to revise its standards accordingly to reap the potential health and economic benefits.

The impact of poor air quality on human health and the economy is significant. An estimated 32,000 preventable deaths occur annually in Malaysia due to air pollution, resulting in substantial healthcare and medical costs, as well as losses in economic productivity. The annual economic cost of ambient air pollution in Malaysia is estimated at MYR 303 billion (US$73 billion), equivalent to 20% of the country's GDP in 2019.

Transboundary nature of pollution

Malaysia has been suffering from severe air pollution, which is largely caused by transboundary haze pollution. This haze is a result of forest and peat fires in Indonesia, which have been occurring almost yearly and affecting not just Indonesia and Malaysia, but also Singapore and other neighbouring countries. The acute cause of these fires has been attributed to the burning of carbon-rich Indonesian peatland due to agricultural activities, particularly oil palm farming.

The haze from these fires can spread over large areas, causing a severe impact on air quality in Malaysia. The severity of the haze is influenced by unpredictable weather conditions, such as wind direction and the dry season, which can exacerbate the problem. During the 2015 Indonesian forest fires, a thick haze spread across Malaysia, Singapore, Southern Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines. This resulted in a significant decline in air quality, with the highest Air Pollution Index reaching 211 in Selangor, Malaysia, on September 14, 2015.

The transboundary haze pollution has had negative consequences for the environment, economy, and health of those affected. The smoke and soot produced by the fires can lead to respiratory issues and impact the productivity of those exposed. Additionally, the haze can disrupt daily life and economic activities, causing school closures and air travel disruptions. In Malaysia, if the Air Pollution Index (API) exceeds 500, a state of emergency is declared, leading to the suspension of non-essential government services and the closure of ports and certain commercial and industrial activities.

The issue of transboundary haze pollution has been recognised for decades, with the first major episode occurring in 1997. Despite this, the problem persists due to a combination of factors. The global demand for cheap palm oil from developing countries like Indonesia provides an economic incentive for unsustainable farming practices. Additionally, patronage politics between companies and government actors has allowed palm oil companies to bypass regulations and obtain licenses to farm on protected peatlands.

To address this ongoing issue, Greenpeace Malaysia and other organisations have been advocating for the enactment of a Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA). This act would serve as a concrete step towards deterring and mitigating the impacts of transboundary haze pollution. Malaysia was the first signatory to the 2002 ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution, yet the THPA was scrapped in 2020, despite Malaysian-owned companies being linked to forest fires in Indonesia.

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