Air Pollution in Asia

Concentrations of carbon monoxide at 15,000 feet

The World Health Organization (WHO)

estimates that urban air pollution contributes to approximately 800,000 deaths and 4.6 million lost life-years worldwide per year (WHO 2002). This burden is not equally distributed: approximately two-thirds of the deaths and lost life-years occur in the developing countries of Asia. Such estimates play an important role in decision making in a variety of policy contexts, from the setting of air quality guidelines to establishing public health priorities and international lending. (www.healtheffects.org/Asia/papasan-overview.htm)

• Over half-a-million people die prematurely each year from being poisoned by the air that they breathe in some of the fastest growing cities of Asia. Many more end up ill or indisposed from the air pollution that has become a hallmark of the Asian economic boom, says a recent United Nations-backed study spread-across 22 cities in the region. (enews.toxicslink.org)

Development and Growth

• Population growth, urbanization, motorization and energy consumption are the challenges confronting these nations. Most of these have been the usual suspects behind air pollution for sometime now.

It is estimated that emission levels of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides in 2030 will be about three times 1990 emission levels, if nothing changes.

What are the causes of air pollution in Asia?

Transportation Emissions

• Asia's rapid transport sector growth is expected to contribute 60 percent of greenhouse gases in the next few decades. Here are some facts: Indian car sector has grown by 20 percent annually, since 2000. China is poised to be world's largest carmaker by 2015. Hanoi has 1.5 million motorcycles from almost none 10 years ago. Indonesia's 33 million motorcycles dwarf the country's 7.4 million car ownership.

Urban areas

• Concentrations of the fine particulate matter (PM10), one of the main threats to health and life is serious in Beijing, Dhaka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Kathmandu, Kolkata, New Delhi, and Shanghai.

• There is as strong an association between fine particulate matter and health issues in Asia as there is in Europe and the United States, but in Asia the concentrations of particulates are much higher.

Growth versus sustainability: Asian blend

• With many Asian countries inching towards a ten percent GDP growth, the issues of serious environmental costs are being neglected by the policymakers here.

• The region's booming economies are paying too little attention to the negative side effects of rapid growth. The question, really, is this: will Asia choke on its own economic success?

What is being done?

• Strengthening, developing and implementing strategies to control emissions from in-use vehicles. This includes the regular inspection of in-use vehicles as well the regulation of the useful life of in-use vehicles and improved testing for imported used vehicles to ensure that they comply with emission regulations.

What needs to be done?

• Promoting the use of clean alternative and renewable energy. Fossil fuel is an important energy source, which will be depleted sooner or later and is a major source of emissions. It is important to promote the development and use of alternative and renewable energy sources.

What else needs to be done?

• Promoting Eco-housing. Asia's rapid urbanization is producing a large demand for housing, so countries need to consider the energy and emission implications. Information is available on eco-buildings with alternative designs and energy systems that reduce energy consumption and emissions.

How would you solve the problem?