Air Pollution In Asia: Why Is It So High?

Asia is home to some of the most polluted cities in the world, with South Asia suffering from the worst pollution overall. In 2023, Bangladesh recorded the poorest air quality of 134 countries monitored by IQAir, with Pakistan and India close behind. The sources of emissions in South Asia are diverse, but activities such as coal burning and agricultural work contribute large amounts of PM2.5—fine particulate matter which is 2.5 microns or smaller in diameter. These particles can pass deep into the human respiratory tract, leading to severe health impacts and economic costs. 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 hit especially hard. Experts say that countries in these regions can reduce air pollution by investing in renewable energy initiatives, imposing stricter vehicle emission standards, and fostering the transition to electric cars.

South Asian cities have the world's poorest air quality

South Asian cities have the poorest air quality in the world, with Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India taking the top spots for the worst air quality in 2023. According to the IQAir report, Bangladesh's PM2.5 levels stand at 79.9 micrograms per cubic meter, which is nearly 16 times higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter. Pakistan and India follow closely behind, with 73.7 and 54.4 micrograms of PM2.5 particles per cubic meter, respectively.

The poor air quality in South Asian cities has severe health consequences for their residents. The Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) published by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) found that the average Indian's life expectancy is reduced by 5.3 years due to PM2.5 pollution. In New Delhi, the capital territory, life expectancy is cut by a staggering 10 years. The report also highlights the impact of air pollution on newborn babies, linking it to low birth weight, miscarriages, and stillbirths.

The sources of South Asia's poor air quality are diverse and include both human activities and natural events. Human activities such as brick kiln and other industrial emissions, agricultural waste burning, cremation practices, and the burning of solid fuel for cooking and heating contribute significantly to air pollution in the region. Natural events like dust storms and wildfires also play a role in releasing fine particulate matter into the air.

While South Asian governments have made some attempts to curb air pollution, more cooperation across jurisdictions is needed to effectively reduce it. The IQAir report recommends that governments invest in renewable energy initiatives, introduce incentives for cleaner vehicles, improve infrastructure for better pedestrian mobility, and ban agricultural burning practices. Taking meaningful steps to reduce air pollution in South Asia will not only save lives and money but also help counter climate change.

The cost of implementing clean air strategies may be high, but the cost of inaction will be even higher. For example, Thailand is estimated to spend about US$4 billion annually by 2030 on clean air strategies, while the cost of inaction is expected to be triple that amount.

Fine particulate matter and ground-level ozone are the most damaging types of air pollution

South Asian countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India have the worst air quality in the world. In 2023, Bangladesh recorded the poorest air quality of 134 countries monitored by IQAir, with Pakistan and India close behind. The air pollution in these countries is mainly caused by fine particulate matter, defined as particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, and ground-level ozone.

Fine particulate matter, also known as PM2.5, is composed of microscopic substances released during natural events like dust storms and wildfires, or human activities such as coal burning, agricultural work, and the combustion of fossil fuels and biomass. These particles are extremely dangerous as they can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, leading to heart disease, lung cancer, and other fatal diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the average annual levels of PM2.5 should not exceed 5 micrograms per cubic meter. However, Bangladesh's PM2.5 levels stand at 79.9 micrograms per cubic meter, while Pakistan and India recorded levels of 73.7 and 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter, respectively.

Ground-level ozone, or O3, is a major component of smog and is formed from the reaction of pollutants such as volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides emitted from vehicles, industry, and natural processes. Ozone is closely linked to asthma and other respiratory conditions. When fine particulate matter and ground-level ozone occur together, the health impacts can be even more severe.

The effects of air pollution in Asia are devastating, with Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania having the second-highest rate of premature deaths from PM2.5 in 2021, after the Middle East and North Africa. China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and the Philippines were the most affected countries in the region. The Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) report estimates that the average Indian's life expectancy is reduced by 5.3 years due to PM2.5 pollution, with the number rising to 10 years in New Delhi.

To combat air pollution, the IQAir report recommends that governments invest in renewable energy initiatives, promote cleaner vehicles, improve infrastructure for better pedestrian mobility, and ban agricultural burning practices. Taking action against air pollution can not only save lives and money but also help fight climate change by reducing emissions of substances that trap the sun's heat.

Air pollution causes an estimated 2 million premature deaths in South Asia annually

South Asia is home to nine of the world's ten cities with the worst air pollution. According to a World Bank report, air pollution causes an estimated 2 million premature deaths in the region annually. The report also highlights that concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) in some of the region's most densely populated and poor areas are up to 20 times higher than what the World Health Organization (WHO) considers healthy (5 µg/m³).

The sources of emissions in South Asia are diverse and include both common global emission sources and activities specific to the region. PM 2.5 levels in Bangladesh stand at 79.9 micrograms per cubic meter, nearly 16 times higher than the WHO recommendation. Pakistan and India also have dangerously high levels of PM 2.5 particles, with 73.7 and 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter, respectively.

The high levels of air pollution in South Asia have severe health impacts on the population, particularly children. Exposure to air pollution has been linked to respiratory infections, chronic diseases, serious discomfort, morbidity, premature mortality, and a range of health issues in children, including stunted growth, reduced cognitive development, asthma, and lung diseases.

The Environmental Research Group at Imperial College London published a review in April 2023 that found connections between air pollution and adverse health outcomes in newborn babies, including low birth weight, miscarriages, and stillbirths. The review also indicated that early exposure to air pollution could hinder development.

The issue of air pollution in South Asia demands urgent action, and there are feasible solutions available. According to the World Bank report, full coordination between airsheds could reduce average PM 2.5 exposure in South Asia to 30 µg/m³, saving more than 750,000 lives annually. Implementing clean air strategies, transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving air quality monitoring, and addressing specific sources of pollution through regional cooperation can help mitigate the devastating impacts of air pollution on public health and the economy in South Asia.

South Asia's high population density and industrial activity contribute to high pollution levels

South Asia is a densely populated region, with countries like India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh having some of the largest populations in the world. This high population density has led to an increase in human activities and energy usage, resulting in significant CO2 emissions. The region's large workforce contributes to economic growth, particularly in industrial production and manufacturing activities. However, these industrial activities also contribute to air pollution, as seen in Begusarai, the industrial and financial capital of India's Bihar, which recorded extremely high levels of PM2.5 particles in the air due to refineries and power stations.

The high population density in South Asian cities exacerbates the problem of air pollution. For example, New Delhi, India's capital territory, often experiences dangerous levels of air pollution, leading to the closure of schools and the halting of construction activities. Similarly, Lahore in Pakistan has also faced severe air pollution, prompting the declaration of emergencies and the mandatory use of face masks.

The industrial activities in South Asia contribute significantly to air pollution. The burning of fossil fuels and biomass, such as trees, releases fine particulate matter (PM2.5) into the atmosphere. These particles, with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less, can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing serious health issues, including heart disease and lung cancer. South Asian countries like India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan have recorded dangerously high levels of PM2.5, far exceeding the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter.

Additionally, cultural practices in South Asia, such as the use of cooking stoves in rural and semi-urban households, contribute to high levels of black carbon emissions. Agricultural burning practices, which are common in the region, also play a significant role in air pollution. A lack of government-operated air quality monitoring stations in South Asia has been noted, hindering effective pollution control measures.

The combination of high population density and industrial activity in South Asia has resulted in severe air pollution, impacting the health and well-being of millions of people in the region. Addressing these issues requires a multi-faceted approach, including the adoption of renewable energy sources, the implementation of stricter emission standards, and the improvement of air quality monitoring and regulation.

Government initiatives and investments in renewable energy can help combat air pollution

South Asian countries, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India, have recorded extremely poor air quality in recent years. In 2023, Bangladesh was reported to have the worst air quality out of 134 countries monitored by IQAir, a Swiss climate group. Pakistan and India followed closely behind, with PM2.5 levels far exceeding the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is one of the most damaging types of air pollution in Asia, as these microscopic particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing heart disease, lung cancer, and other fatal diseases. These particles are released during natural events, such as dust storms and wildfires, and from human activities, such as coal burning and agricultural practices.

To combat this issue, governments in Asia must take proactive measures to reduce air pollution and protect the health and well-being of their citizens. Here are some ways in which government initiatives and investments in renewable energy can help combat air pollution:

Government Initiatives:

• Invest in renewable energy initiatives: Governments should channel their funds into renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower. These sources are clean, accessible, affordable, sustainable, and reliable. They emit little to no greenhouse gases or pollutants, helping to improve air quality.
• Introduce incentives for cleaner vehicles: By encouraging the use of electric or low-emission vehicles, governments can reduce vehicle emissions, which are a significant contributor to air pollution.
• Improve infrastructure for better pedestrian mobility: Developing infrastructure that prioritizes walking and cycling can reduce the reliance on motor vehicles, thereby decreasing vehicle emissions.
• Ban agricultural burning practices: Agricultural burning is a major contributor to air pollution. Governments can implement policies to prohibit these practices and provide alternative solutions for farmers.
• Monitor air quality: Setting up government-operated air quality monitoring stations can help track pollution levels and identify areas requiring immediate intervention.

Investments in Renewable Energy:

• Reduce pollution and climate impacts: Investments in renewable energy can significantly reduce pollution and mitigate climate change. According to the United Nations, the reduction of pollution alone could save the world up to $4.2 trillion per year by 2030.
• Create jobs: The renewable energy sector has the potential to create numerous jobs. For example, the transition to clean energy in India is expected to generate a large number of domestic jobs.
• Improve energy security: By diversifying power supply options, investments in renewable energy can enhance energy security and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
• Save lives: Air pollution has devastating effects on human health, causing premature deaths and contributing to various diseases. By investing in renewable energy, governments can improve air quality and save lives.

In conclusion, government initiatives and investments in renewable energy are crucial in combating air pollution in Asia. By implementing the suggested measures, governments can improve the health and well-being of their citizens, contribute to climate change mitigation, and promote sustainable development.

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