Greta Jimenez
Air pollution is a pressing issue in Asia, causing millions of premature deaths and contributing to economic costs. The two main types of air pollution in Asia are fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ground-level ozone, which are primarily caused by the burning of fossil fuels and biomass. Urban and heavily industrialised areas with high population densities tend to have the highest levels of air pollution. Asia is home to nine of the world's ten cities with the worst air pollution, with countries in Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania having the second-highest rate of premature deaths from PM2.5 in 2021. The sources of air pollution in Asia vary, with industrial sources, power generation, transport, and household activities all contributing to the problem.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of deaths caused by air pollution in Asia annually | 6.5 million |
| Percentage of air pollution-related deaths that occur in Asia-Pacific | 70% |
| Particulate matter size | Less than 10 micrometers (PM10) and 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) |
| Particulate matter sources | Diesel soot, road dust, brake and tyre wear, trash burning, barbecues, cookstoves, industrial activity, agricultural burning, fossil fuels, biomass |
| Pollutants | Carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, ammonia, fossil fuels, biomass |
| Polluted countries in Asia | China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Philippines, Japan, Laos, South Korea |
| Air pollution-related diseases | Cancer, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, pneumonia, asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis |
| Air pollution sources | Power plants, factories, transport, home cooking, heating, lighting |
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What You'll Learn
Burning fossil fuels
Particulate matter, or PM2.5, refers to fine particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, which is just a 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 such as heart disease and lung cancer. In 2018, exposure to PM2.5 from burning fossil fuels was responsible for about 8.7 million deaths globally, with China and India being the two most affected countries.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is another harmful pollutant released during the combustion of fossil fuels. When combined with air and water, SO2 can form acid rain, which has detrimental effects on the environment. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are also emitted in significant quantities from burning fossil fuels, contributing to the formation of smog and ground-level ozone. Ground-level ozone is a highly reactive gas that forms when fuel vapors, chemical solvents, and other pollutants are heated by the sun. It is linked to respiratory issues such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
The burning of fossil fuels for power generation, industry, and transport is a significant source of air pollution in Asia. The demand for energy has been increasing in Southeast Asian countries due to population growth and expanding economies, leading to a rise in fossil fuel consumption. As a result, the air quality in major cities like Beijing often falls far below the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
To address this issue, countries in Asia are taking steps to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and transition to cleaner energy sources. For example, replacing coal with natural gas in the power generation and industry sectors can significantly reduce sulfate and black carbon concentrations in the atmosphere, improving air quality. Additionally, implementing stricter emission standards for vehicles and industrial processes can help mitigate the impact of burning fossil fuels on air pollution levels.
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Burning biomass
Biomass burning is a major source of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), which are fine particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 and 10 micrometers, respectively. These particles are dangerous because they can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and even triggering heart disease and lung cancer. Models suggest that biomass burning causes thousands of premature deaths annually in Southeast Asia due to excessive exposure to particulate matter. For example, in Vietnam, inhaling PM2.5 from biomass burning was linked to increased sensitivity to respiratory and cardiovascular disorders, with a 69% and 29% increase in the likelihood of hospitalization, respectively.
In addition to the health impacts, biomass burning also affects the environment. It contributes to climatic changes and ecological deterioration and can negatively impact plant productivity by limiting photosynthesis and increasing plant surface temperatures.
To address the issue of biomass burning and reduce its impact on air pollution, several strategies have been proposed. These include reducing the open burning of agricultural and municipal waste, exploring alternative options for agricultural waste disposal, enhancing supervisory capacity for open biomass burning, and promoting regional cooperation to combat the practice.
Overall, burning biomass is a significant contributor to air pollution in Asia, particularly in Southeast Asia, and has detrimental effects on both human health and the environment.
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Industrial emissions
The problem is particularly acute in urban and heavily industrialised areas with high population densities, where the concentration of PM2.5 can be up to 20 times higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended safe levels. This has severe consequences for public health, with millions of premature deaths attributed to air pollution in Asia annually. In 2021, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania had the second-highest rate of premature deaths from PM2.5, with China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and the Philippines being the most affected.
To combat this issue, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition has proposed measures to reduce industrial emissions in Asia. These include introducing advanced emission standards for industries such as iron and steel plants, cement factories, and chemical industries. Additionally, post-combustion controls are recommended to reduce sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate emissions at power stations and large-scale industries.
Despite these efforts, current policies are not enough to reach safe air quality levels as per WHO guidelines. Continued economic growth and urbanisation will worsen air pollution unless governments take further action. It is crucial to implement stricter emission standards, improve energy efficiency in industries, and transition to cleaner energy sources to mitigate the health and environmental impacts of industrial emissions in Asia.
Furthermore, industrial emissions not only impact human health but also threaten agricultural productivity and food security in the region. Tropospheric ozone, a byproduct of industrial activities, is responsible for significant losses in staple crops such as maize, rice, soy, and wheat. Black carbon, another industrial emission, inhibits plant growth by limiting photosynthesis and increasing plant surface temperatures.
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Poor energy efficiency
The burning of fossil fuels releases harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and ammonia. These pollutants have severe health and environmental impacts. Fine particulate matter, with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres, can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, triggering heart disease, lung cancer, and other potentially fatal diseases. It is responsible for millions of premature deaths each year in Asia, with China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and the Philippines being particularly affected.
In addition to the health hazards, poor energy efficiency and the resulting air pollution also threaten the region's economy, food and water security, and climate systems. The agricultural productivity and food security of the region are at risk, as tropospheric ozone is responsible for staple crop losses of approximately 5-20% in maize, rice, soy, and wheat. Furthermore, black carbon, a product of diesel soot, road dust, brake and tyre wear, trash burning, and industrial activity, negatively impacts plant productivity by limiting photosynthesis and increasing plant surface temperatures.
To address the issue of poor energy efficiency and reduce air pollution, Asia-Pacific countries are implementing various measures. These include introducing energy efficiency standards for industries, improving brick kiln efficiency, and regulating emissions from power stations, large-scale industries, and road vehicles. Additionally, initiatives such as the Asia-Pacific Clean Air Partnership provide a platform for policymakers and stakeholders to collaborate and share knowledge, tools, and innovative solutions to tackle air pollution in the region.
It is important to note that the sources of emissions in South Asia are diverse, and effective air quality management requires cooperation across jurisdictions and sectors. By implementing energy efficiency measures and working together, Asia-Pacific countries can improve air quality, protect the health and well-being of their citizens, and support sustainable economic growth.
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Unregulated waste burning
Air pollution is a pressing environmental health crisis in Asia, causing millions of premature deaths and illnesses annually. A significant contributor to this issue is the unregulated burning of waste, which releases harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.
Trash burning is a common practice worldwide, with an estimated 1.1 billion tons of waste, or 41% of the global total, disposed of through unregulated burning each year. This practice is particularly prevalent in populous developing countries, including China, India, Brazil, Mexico, Pakistan, and Turkey.
In Asia, the open burning of garbage, often in small, uncontrolled fires, is a neglected source of severe air pollution. This is especially true in South Asian countries like India and Nepal, where high concentrations of aerosols and gaseous pollutants are present in the air. The burning of waste contributes to the formation of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ground-level ozone, the two most damaging types of air pollution in Asia.
Fine particulate matter, with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, is composed of microscopic substances that are released primarily from the burning of fossil fuels and biomass. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing serious health issues such as heart disease and lung cancer. Ground-level ozone, on the other hand, is a gas that forms when fuel vapors, chemical solvents, and other pollutants are heated by the sun. It is a key component of smog and has been linked to respiratory problems, including asthma and emphysema.
The unregulated burning of waste in Asia has devastating consequences for both human and ecosystem health. It contributes to the already high levels of air pollution in the region, exacerbating the health hazards and threatening the region's economy, food and water security, and climate systems. Therefore, addressing this issue is crucial for improving the health and well-being of those living in Asia.
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Frequently asked questions
The two most damaging types of air pollution in Asia are fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ground-level ozone. Fine particulate matter is caused by the burning of fossil fuels and biomass, such as trees, and is particularly harmful because it can enter the bloodstream and cause heart disease and lung cancer. Ground-level ozone is a gas formed by the heating of fuel vapours, chemical solvents, and other pollutants by the sun.
Fine particulate matter is released during natural events such as dust storms and wildfires, or by human activities such as coal burning, agricultural work, and industrial emissions.
Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India have been reported to have the worst air quality in the world. Other countries with poor air quality include China, Japan, Laos, the Republic of Korea, and Vietnam.
Air pollution is responsible for millions of deaths in Asia annually, with 70% of air pollution-related deaths occurring in the region. It also poses a threat to the region's economy, food and water security, and climate systems, hampering sustainable growth and poverty alleviation efforts.
