Air Pollution In Asia

Air pollution is a major environmental issue affecting people across the world. According to
the World Health Organisation(WHO), more than 2 million people worldwide die every year
from air pollution. Of all the air pollutants, fine particulate matter (PM) is one of the most
hazardous pollution for the human health. The particulate matter causes about 9% of lung
cancer deaths worldwide, 5% of cardiopulmonary deaths and about 1% of respiratory
infection deaths. According to the WHO, there is mounting evidence that concentration of
particulate matter is increasing in Asia. Particulate matter mostly originates from dust storms,
grassland fires, burning of fossil fuels in vehicles, power plants, but also various industrial
plants generate significant amounts of particulates. The interactive map shows that South
Asia is badly hit by pollution caused by particulate matter. While Pakistan has the highest
concentration of particulate matter, countries like Bangladesh, Nepal and India are placed by
the WHO in a category called unhealthy for the sensitive people. That means people in
these countries suffering from respiratory and heart disease, as well as elderly and children
should limit outdoor exertion. Air pollution in China is as bad, if not worse, than in India but
according to the WHO,the particulate matter concentration in China and in countries such as
Myanmar, Sri Lanka, South Korea and Indonesia remains moderate. There is the least
presence of particulate matter in Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Japan.
Most Polluted Countries

The particulate matter represents a complex mixture of solid and liquid particles suspended in
the air, many of which are hazardous. These particles are either directly emitted into the air
by sources such as smoke, dust, pollen, or formed in the atmosphere by transformation of
emitted gases. The particulate matter can adversely affect human health and also have an
impact on climate and precipitation. On the basis of size, the particulate matter is divided into
two categories. The particles up to 10 micrometers in size are called PM 10 and smaller
particles of 2.5 micrometer in size are called PM2.5. The WHO has measured outdoor air
pollution caused by both types of the particulate matter and according to these findings, air
can be contaminated by a range of different particles of which many can harm our health,
especially very small particles that enter into the lungs and bloodstream and cause the most
serious health problems. In Asia, like in other regions of the world, pollution caused by
particulate matter is spreading to new areas. The graph, based on the data obtained from the
WHO, ranks Asian countries according to the PM10 level in the air. As the data suggests,
Pakistan is the most polluted country in the region in terms of particulate matter
concentration in the air. It is followed by Bangladesh, India, Nepal, China, Myanmar, Sri
Lanka, South Korea, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Japan.
Most Polluted Capital Cities

Air pollution in some Asian cities is so bad that at times, the cities are enveloped by a blanket
of smog that impedes visibility. According to the WHO,air pollution has worsened in Asian
cities in recent years and presents a threat to human health. In many cities the levels of fine
particulate matter - a key pollutant in terms of its impact on human health - are exceeding the
critical limit (as defined by the WHO), specifically in densely populated, fast-growing and
less developed countries like China, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Even in small Asian
cities like Kathmandu, the particulate matter level exceeds the most lenient of several targets
recommended by the WHO. Over the last few years, China has been in the news for heavy
pollution in its cities with the skies being completely blanketed by smog. India and Pakistan,
however, have the dubious distinction of having the most polluted cities in the region. If we
take a look at the statistics concerning capital cities in Asia, the air pollution caused by the
particulate matter is worst in Delhi. It is closely followed by Islamabad, Dhaka, Beijing and
Kathmandu.
Deaths Due To Outdoor Air Pollution

Air pollution is one of the main causes of premature deaths in the world. Of all major global
health risks, outdoor air pollution in the form of fine particles is found to be much more
dangerous for public health than previously known - contributing annually to over 2 million
premature deaths worldwide. The WHO global study ranks air pollution as one of the top 10
killers in the world, with 65 percent of all air pollution deaths occurring in Asia. In 2010
alone, particulate matter pollution was the fourth-leading risk factor for deaths in China,
behind high blood pressure and smoking. Across the region, increasing levels of particulate
matter are causing higher numbers of premature deaths. The graph reveals the human toll due
to outdoor air pollution in 2008, which is the latest comparative data available. A record
number of people have died due to air pollution in the region. In the year 2008 alone, over
half-million people have died in China and India. Other countries in the region have also
suffered heavily from air pollution. On top of that, the future looks very bleak. By 2050,
urban air pollution is estimated to cause up to 3.6 million premature deaths worldwide each
year, mostly in China and India.