Air Pollution Crisis: South Asia’s Most Polluted Countries Threaten Global Health
Air pollution continues to present a significant threat to global health, particularly in South Asia. According to a recent report by the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute (EPIC), this region is home to the world’s most polluted countries, with a quarter of the global population affected. Notably, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan are among the six countries with the highest number of polluted regions in the world. Additionally, Nigeria and Indonesia contribute to more than half of the total life years lost globally due to pollution.
The report highlights the alarming impact of air pollution on life expectancy, with individual countries experiencing a decrease of more than five years per person. In South Asia alone, the level of particulate pollution (PM 2.5) has increased by 9.7% from 2013 to 2021, resulting in an additional six months reduction in life expectancy in the mentioned countries.
Globally, the average PM2.5 level increased slightly from 2020 to 2021, surpassing the World Health Organization’s guideline of 5 micrograms per cubic meter. While pollution levels have fallen slightly over the past decade, China stands as a success story with a reduction of more than 40% since 2013. However, it still exceeds the WHO recommendation.
Concerning India, the report unveils a troubling statistic. From 2013 to 2021, the country alone accounted for a staggering 59% increase in global air pollution. The report predicts that if current pollution levels persist, residents can expect a life expectancy reduction of approximately five years on average. India’s particulate pollution levels rose by 9.5% during the same period, mainly attributed to rapid industrialization and population growth.
In 2021, the pollution levels in India elevated to over 10 times the WHO guideline, with the northern states and union territories facing the worst impact. The residents of these regions are estimated to lose nearly eight years of life expectancy. Delhi, in particular, has been labelled the most polluted megacity in the world, with an annual PM2.5 level of 126.5 micrograms per cubic meter, 25 times higher than the WHO guideline. The average lifespan in Delhi has decreased by 11.9 years.
The report underlines particulate matter pollution as the most significant threat to health in India, surpassing cardiovascular diseases and child and maternal malnutrition. On average, particulate pollution reduces life expectancy in India by 5.3 years, while cardiovascular diseases and malnutrition account for 4.5 years and 1.8 years, respectively.
Despite the alarming statistics, India has implemented measures to combat air pollution. The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), launched in 2019, aims to reduce pollution levels by 20-30% by 2024. Furthermore, the program set new goals in 2022, targeting a 40% reduction in PM 2.5 levels by 2026 in cities that have consistently failed to meet national air quality standards.
The AQLI report also emphasizes the need for countries to bring down global pollution levels to the recommended WHO guidelines. Achieving this could increase average life expectancy worldwide by 2.3 years. In line with these efforts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged that India would reach net-zero emissions by 2070 at the 26th Conference of Parties.
In conclusion, South Asia’s most polluted countries pose a severe threat to global health due to air pollution. The report calls for immediate action to combat this crisis, highlighting India’s efforts and setting ambitious goals to improve air quality. However, sustained measures and global collaboration are essential to mitigate the adverse effects of air pollution on human health and ensure a healthier future for all.
