Home to more than 1.9 billion people, South Asia is one of the world’s most polluted regions. Increasing air pollution, particularly in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, has become one of the most significant problems affecting health, the environment and the economy. In these countries, air quality often exceeds safe limits, resulting in a wide range of health problems, economic losses and social challenges. One of the important criteria in air pollution is the level of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the air. These are much smaller than the diameter of a human hair and constitute the most harmful microscopic particles in the air. These particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, causing many respiratory and heart diseases.
PM2.5 levels in Bangladesh range from 60 to 100 µg/m³ annually on average across the country, reaching 90 to 100 µg/m³ in the capital Dhaka. These values are well above the air quality standards (5 µg/m3) recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). During the March-November period, these levels can rise to two or three times the annual average due to drought. Breathing the air of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is equivalent to smoking 1.7 cigarettes. The World Bank reports that air pollution in Bangladesh causes more than 70,000 premature deaths a year, the majority of which are respiratory and heart diseases. Air pollution also more severely affects vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. In Bangladesh, the main sources of this pollution include industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, brick kilns and solid waste incineration. Agricultural burning activities in neighboring countries such as India also contribute to the seasonal increase in pollution levels.[1]
Delhi, the capital of India, is one of the most polluted cities in the world, with air quality often reaching hazardous levels. Major contributors to Delhi’s air pollution include vehicle emissions, industrial activities and agricultural burning in nearby states such as Punjab and Haryana. During the winter months, as cold weather traps polluted air, the city experiences a large increase in air pollution levels as stubble burning coincides with cold weather. Delhi’s air quality index is as high as 1,700 in some parts of the city. While the maximum index considered healthy by the WHO is 50.[2]
In India, many measures have been tried to prevent this air pollution, but without success. Measures such as improving public transportation and banning fireworks during festivals have been insufficient to address the fundamental problems. Longer-term, sustainable solutions, such as switching to clean energy and reducing agricultural emissions, are needed. According to experts, tackling Delhi’s air pollution requires a holistic approach that addresses all contributors to pollution, from transportation to industry and agriculture.[3]
Air pollution is also high in Pakistan. The country’s major cities, including Lahore, are under a thick fog of pollution, especially during the winter months. The annual average PM2.5 concentration in Lahore regularly exceeds 200 µg/m³, well above the dangerous threshold set by the WHO. Pakistan’s record polluted air is forcing many people, especially children, to stay indoors.[4]
The sources of air pollution in Pakistan are similar to those in India and Bangladesh. Industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust and agricultural burning activities are high contributors to air pollution. In addition, unplanned urbanization and poor waste management have exacerbated the problem. In response, the Government of Pakistan has tried to alleviate air pollution by taking measures such as limiting vehicle emissions, improving public transportation and closing schools on peak pollution days. However, these efforts have failed to provide a lasting solution. As in India, the problem lies in the inadequate enforcement of regulations and the lack of comprehensive policy solutions.
Air pollution in South Asia is not only a public health issue, but also a serious economic problem. Air pollution is estimated to cost India billions of dollars each year in lost productivity and health expenditures. In Delhi, workers are unable to perform their jobs effectively during times of high pollution, resulting in reduced output in many sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture and services. Health expenditures due to air pollution are a significant drain on public resources. In such cases, air pollution costs India almost 3% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).[5] The economic losses of South Asian countries affect not only the region but also the global economic structure.
Air pollution in these countries is not a problem specific to their home countries. Air pollution in neighboring countries also affects each other. For example, agricultural burning practices in northern India led to air pollution that affects other countries near Delhi, such as Bangladesh and even Nepal. Countries in the region can therefore work together to fundamentally and sustainably address common sources of pollution such as agricultural burning, vehicle emissions and industrial pollution. With better international cooperation, these countries can significantly improve air quality across the region by sharing knowledge and practices as well as adopting common policy measures.
The air pollution crisis in South Asia is a multifaceted problem that requires urgent and coordinated action. With air quality levels in cities such as Dhaka, Delhi and Lahore regularly exceeding safe limits, the health and economic losses are becoming a huge burden. Regional cooperation is essential to tackle the transboundary nature of pollution. It is critical that countries in South Asia work together sustainably on key issues to improve air pollution. Only by adopting a comprehensive and cooperative approach can South Asia succeed in sustainably addressing the air pollution crisis and protect the health and economic well-being of its citizens.
[1] “Clearing the Air: Addressing Bangladesh’s Air Pollution Crisis”, World Bank Blogs, https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/endpovertyinsouthasia/clearing-the-air–addressing-bangladesh-s-air-pollution-crisis, (Access Date 30.11.2024).
[2] “‘The air is killing us’: why Delhi’s pollution problem runs deeper than smog season”, The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/22/the-air-is-killing-us-why-delhi-india-pollution-problem-runs-deeper-than-smog-season, (Access Date 30.11.2024).
[3] “Delhi air pollution: Why has India failed to clean up its toxic smog?”, Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/11/20/delhi-air-pollution-why-has-india-failed-to-clean-up-its-toxic-smog, (Access Date 30.11.2024).
[4] “‘Children constantly coughing’: Pakistan’s record smog forces people home”, Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2024/11/11/children-constantly-coughing-pakistans-record-smog-forces-people-home, (Access Date 30.11.2024).
[5] “India’s killer smog is piling on the costs to citizens, the economy”, South China Morning Post, https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3287893/indias-killer-smog-piling-costs-citizens-economy, (Access Date 30.11.2024).
