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A recent report reveals that more than 90 percent of the 2.5 billion people living in East and Southeast Asia are exposed to air quality deemed unsafe by the World Health Organization (WHO). This alarming statistic underscores the severe health risks posed by air pollution in the region, which is responsible for millions of premature deaths each year.

Dechen Tsering, regional director for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Asia and the Pacific, emphasizes the gravity of the situation. “Air pollution is one of the greatest health threats facing this region right now,” Tsering states. “But the good news is that it’s not an impossible problem to solve. We know how to reduce air pollution – we just need to act.”

On September 7, the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies will spotlight global efforts to combat air pollution. The observance aims to amplify the call for immediate action to address the pervasive issue of air quality in the region.

The primary pollutants affecting the region include fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ground-level ozone. PM2.5 particles, which are less than 2.5 microns in diameter, can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, leading to serious health conditions such as heart disease and lung cancer. Ground-level ozone, a gas formed from fuel vapors and other pollutants, contributes to respiratory issues and impairs plant growth.

Data from UNEP and its partner IQAir indicates that in August 2024, over 98 percent of people in China, Japan, Laos, the Republic of Korea, and Vietnam were breathing air with PM2.5 levels exceeding WHO guidelines. Only a few cities in northern Japan and the Gulf of Thailand experienced air quality considered clean by these standards.

The sources of air pollution in the region include fossil fuel combustion for energy and transport, biomass burning for cooking and heating, and the open burning of waste. The adverse effects are significant: Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Oceania had the second-highest rate of premature deaths due to PM2.5 in 2021, with major impacts in countries such as China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

Reports highlight that Cambodia, Indonesia, and Thailand could save a combined 230,000 lives and nearly $60 billion in healthcare costs by implementing effective air quality management strategies. These measures would also contribute to combating climate change, as many air pollutants are also potent greenhouse gases.

The UNEP advocates for several solutions to mitigate air pollution, including:

• Investing in renewable energy

• Promoting electric vehicles

• Improving waste management

• Phasing out the open burning of crops

• Facilitating access to cleaner cooking fuel

While implementing these strategies would incur costs, they are significantly lower compared to the expenses associated with healthcare and lost productivity from poor air quality. For instance, Thailand could save approximately $12 billion annually by 2030 through clean air investments compared to the $36 billion cost of inaction.

Tsering concludes, “It just makes sense on so many levels for countries to get serious about air pollution. Without a doubt, some nations have made progress in recent years. But we need to dramatically scale up action if we’re to unlock this region’s potential and help people live longer, healthier lives.”

The International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies serves as a critical reminder of the need for urgent and coordinated efforts to address air pollution and protect public health.