Air Pollution in South Asia

In South Asia, air pollution is both an outdoor and indoor problem. The outdoor air pollution is similar to that experienced elsewhere in the world; however, the use of biomass fuels for cooking has exacerbated indoor air pollution in the region.

Indoor air pollution is also caused by the types of fuel used for heating. There are 500,000 deaths per year from indoor air pollution in India alone.

Some of the world’s regions rely heavily on solid fuel use at the household level whereas others have made an almost complete transition to cleaner fuels, such as gas and electricity. For example, more than 70% of the population in India, China and Africa continue to cook with solid fuels. Figure 2. Percent of Population Using Solid Fuels (Total population using solid fuels in parentheses)

These differences in household solid fuel use patterns are reflected in an unequal share of the disease burden due to indoor air pollution, with Africa, South East Asia and the Western Pacific Region shouldering the biggest death toll.

Industrialization and urbanization have resulted in a profound deterioration of India's air quality. Of the 3 million premature deaths in the world that occur each year due to outdoor and indoor air pollution, the highest number are assessed to occur in India. According to the World Health Organization, the capital city of New Delhi is one of the top ten most polluted cities in the world. Surveys indicate that in New Delhi the incidence of respiratory diseases due to air pollution is about 12 times the national average.

China, the world's fastest growing economy, has earned another startling superlative: the highest annual incidence of premature deaths triggered by air pollution in the world, according to a new study. A World Health Organization (WHO) report estimates that diseases triggered by indoor and outdoor air pollution kill 656,000 Chinese citizens each year, and polluted drinking water kills another 95,600.

Deaths attributable to indoor air pollution from solid fuel use per 1000 persons, by country (2002)

The Asian brown cloud is a layer of air pollution that covers parts of South Asia, namely the northern Indian Ocean, India, and Pakistan. Viewed from satellite photos, the cloud appears as a giant brown stain hanging in the air over much of South Asia and the Indian Ocean every year between January and March, possibly also during earlier and later months. The term was coined in reports from the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme )

A dense blanket of polluted air hovers over central eastern China. The 'Giant Brown Cloud' is an unhealthy mix of ozone, smoke, and other particles from human activities.

The Asian Brown Cloud

Sunny Day in China

Beijing on a day after rain.

In South Asia, air pollution is a very serious problem. What is the primary cause of the serious indoor air pollution in South Asia? A.Improper sanitary procedures B.Too many people in the cities C.Lack of green cleaning products D.Cooking and heating with biomass fuels

In South Asia, air pollution is a very serious problem. What is the primary cause of the serious indoor air pollution in South Asia? A.Improper sanitary procedures B.Too many people in the cities C.Lack of green cleaning products D.Cooking and heating with biomass fuels *